James Hunnybourne

Chief revenue officer, Ultima Business Solutions

What has been your business highlight of 2022?

Building the team I have in Ultima - corny but true. People are everything to me and I am happy to say that morale, success and opportunity is up. There's still more work to do but I think I can hold my head high and say I have done the very best I can for the people that work with me.

If you were ruler of your own country, what law would you introduce first?

All communication should be free. Ideally, I would like to implement a Star Trek utopian country where money didn't exist, and reward was based on helping others and the country to be successful (obvious Communist overtones avoided though). I figured start small though and make all mobile and internet communication free.

Which channel or tech leader (outside of your own company) has impressed you most in 2022?

Actually, it is Graeme Watt, who I used to work for at Softcat. Every business needs a human heart and he was the one that Softcat needed to keep its culture.

If you had a warning label, what would it say?

"Don't be a dick." A warning to others.

What was your first job?

A restaurant waiter in my local country pub. I was 15 and did the job while finishing off school and going to college. It really taught me about customer experience and that a smile and some kindness can go a long way.

What was the last book you read, and was it any good?

Radical Candour. I enjoyed it, I've even recommended it as required reading in Ultima. The principals are to be built up to though; often the level of openness they mention can result in people running others down in the car park after work.

What's the most important lesson you've learned from another business leader or mentor?

Understand and rank the top 10 things you are passionate about, then do the same for the things that drain you of energy. Once you understand this find the role that allows you to be passionate about what you do while avoiding or mitigating against the things that suck at your soul. When you know the direction and you know yourself then you can assess if each decision is taking you forward, backwards or sidewards. Simple, but takes a while to get right.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Forrest Gump. Have a good heart and do good for others then you should be happy and successful. That said, maybe Disney's Stitch - I do love to cause mischief from time-to-time