Marc Chang

CEO, Block

What has been your personal highlight of 2021?

It has to be the involvement of our team in setting up several mass vaccination centres across the country.

Taking part in something like that was very rewarding and enabled us all to get back some of the normality that we have all missed such a lot.

Which tech figurehead has impressed you the most this year, and why?

Mathew Gould, CEO of NHSX, who oversees digital policy and programmes in NHS England.

The NHS response overall has been outstanding. Though sometimes the digital heroes can be forgotten and many have worked tirelessly helping support the NHS in this for more than 18 months now.

The way in which NHSX has helped with the NHS App, AI lab and digital programmes such as Global Digital Exemplars and Digital Aspirants is really starting to help a key sector that is real need and fully deserving of funding and support

Which one lockdown habit do you plan to keep going

I have become a running bore/enthusiast during lockdown and have really enjoyed running through all the seasons. After physically struggling with it at first, I stuck with it and now find it tremendously helpful for both my mental and physical health.

Which face-to-face industry event are you most excited to return to, and why?

I don't go to many but always enjoy Cisco Partner Summit, which is coincidentally in Las Vegas.

This year is more hybrid and within country but should provide an opportunity to catch up with industry friends.

If you had the time to learn one new skill, what would it be?

I would like to learn music production. I love music and would really like to make and produce in the future.

If you could go back in time and tell your childhood self one thing, what would you say?

Do what makes you happy, not what you think others or society wants you to do. You only live once and there is no rehearsal.

If you had to sing karaoke, what would be your song of choice?

Montell Jordon, This Is How We Do It. R&B gold that would certainly get people bouncing if I didn't completely kill it (not in a good way).

Sum 2021 up in three words.

Wellbeing, NFTs, supply-chain.