A-LIST 2019 A LIST 2019

MEET SOME OF THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS THAT MAKE UP THE CHANNEL ELITE

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@AgilitasIT A-LIST 2019

Welcome to the CRN A-List 2019 CONTENTS From the reseller boss who once played biggest hitters the opportunity to showcase trombone on the White House lawn, to their playful side. Being that CRN is a serious A 4 the distribution MD who owns more than and sober business publication, we have also B 5 100 pairs of shoes, the UK’s top IT channel thrown in some more solemn, industry- executives possess many surprising hidden related questions for good measure. C 14 talents and hobbies. From Westcoast founder Joe Hemani and D 18 It is precisely such gems that CRN’s Softcat CEO Graeme Watt, to BT Business E 22 annual A-List is designed to unearth, and Direct boss Helen Slinger, no one was too F 23 respondents told us they found this year’s set proud to take on our tricky questions this of 11 questions particularly exacting. year, and we hope you enjoy reading their G 26 Matt Riley will be a familiar face to most thoughtful responses. H 31 people reading this supplement, but how A big thank-you – and congratulations – J 42 many will be aware that the Daisy chairman to everyone who made the cut. K 44 can walk on his hands like a gymnast? Or Doug Woodburn, editor L 46 that Bell Integration boss Alastair Bell likes to relax by diving cave systems in Mexico? M 49 This year’s CRN A-List sees 138 top N 58 executives in the channel grilled on a variety O 59 of topics, ranging from who they would P 60 have play them in a film of their life, to their guiltiest pleasure. R 62 We also asked them what their first act S 64 would be if they were made Prime Minister, T 72 with answers ranging from cancelling Brexit W 75 and re-introducing national service to “eliminating” middle-lane drivers. Y 78 A fixture in the CRN calendar since 2005, Company index 80 the CRN A-List aims to give the channel’s

Incisive Media, New London House, 172 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5QR Tel: (020) 7484 9700 Editor Doug Woodburn (020) 7484 9817 Content editor Tom Wright 9797 Reporter Marian McHugh 9883 Channelnomics.eu Content editor Josh Budd 9854 Multimedia editor Nima Green 9781 Production editor Amy Micklewright Production executive Hyrie Mehmet 9779 Commercial director Matt Dalton 9896 Head of global sales Nina Patel Global account director Jessica Feldman 9839 Account manager Jessica Richards 9923 Group publishing director Alan Loader Managing director, Incisive Media Jonathon Whiteley Circulation, back issues & licensing Address changes, circulation, subscriptions and back issues 0845 1551846, email [email protected]. To subscribe to CRN visit: www.wdis.co.uk/crn CRN is available for international licensing. Contact [email protected] CRN is published monthly by Incisive Media, New London House, 172 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5QR. © 2018 Incisive Media Ltd Printed by Stephens & George Print Group. ISSN 1744-3156. Printed on paper from sustainable sources in Scandinavia. For custom editorial reprints contact Wrights Reprints at +1 877 652 5295 (international toll-free) Email: [email protected] CRN is distributed free to individuals who meet the publisher’s terms. Paid subscriptions UK £120, Europe $150, Rest of World £280 All images and icons are from www.istockphoto.com, unless stated

ChannelWeb.co.uk 1 30 Years

Connecting Technology To Customers

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@CMSDistribution

CMS Distribution A-LIST 2019 In great company

Agilitas is proud to be supporting the CRN A-List 2019, a prestigious selection of leaders in the UK channel. This is a well-deserved recognition of the most influential leaders in our industry, which we are thrilled to be involved with. Now, more than ever, it is critical that channel businesses continue to collaborate and find new ways to work together. The CRN A-List is a fantastic opportunity to keep doing this, stimulating discussion across all our business leaders on the key themes that are affecting our industry. For this reason, we are delighted to be hosting this first-of-its-kind A-List dinner at the Shard, London in December, where select members of the A-List will gather to debate the theme of ‘Taking Innovation to New Heights’. It will come as no surprise to channel leaders that the topics up for discussion at the dinner include channel businesses’ approaches to new technologies such as the cloud, whether companies are building their own intellectual property, what trends companies are embracing to stay ahead of competitors, and how companies are implementing globalisation. In a natural next step when exploring the future of the channel, we are seeing the themes of Globalisation, Relevance and Transformation increasingly becoming topics of conversation. In the course of our groundbreaking research into what the global channel will look like in 2020, we predicted that these themes would have unparalleled effects on the future accretive channel partners to deliver this. Otherwise, they will of our industry. In fact, we are already seeing many channel fail to remain relevant for customers that increasingly want companies adopting these themes in their strategies; many of innovative, tailored solutions that meet their ultimate Agilitas’ channel partners have leveraged the insights that have business objectives. come out of our research to enhance their own service strategies. Market-leading companies recognise the need to remain relevant and customer-centric in today’s world; many have Let’s get together undergone, or are currently undergoing, a transformational Collaboration with other channel businesses is the ideal way to shift to align with their customer requirements. quickly bolster a channel provider’s portfolio of services, while Here at Agilitas, we are adopting the themes of increasing wallet share, margin and loyalty from the customer. Globalisation, Relevance and Transformation in our market Our recent research revealed that more than a quarter of a approach and strategy, increasingly collaborating with our channel business’s revenue is generated through the utilisation channel partners to make sure that together we are adapting to of skills from other companies. the changing channel landscape. Internally, we are continually Furthermore, the exact needs and desires of the customer working with the Agilitas team to analyse how we can further must be taken into account; out-of-the-box solutions are foster innovation and collaboration to ensure our strategic simply no longer sufficient for today’s customers. We are goals are not only met but exceeded. increasingly finding that relevance is a top priority for channel Finally, I would like to congratulate all those channel leaders businesses going forward – delivering outcome-based solutions who made this year’s CRN A-List. I am looking forward to for customers, rather than standard, off-the-shelf solutions that exploring these topics further and collaborating with my fellow are not targeted for their business needs. channel leaders at the A-List dinner in December, where we Collaboration is key to achieving this; if a customer’s current will all share our insights into the current state of the channel, channel partner(s) cannot directly offer a service that the and debate the best practices required for future success. customer requires, they must work together with other value Shaun Lynn, CEO of Agilitas

ChannelWeb.co.uk 3 A-LIST 2019

A IoT – very few partners are investing or this year, and growing our overall share educating themselves in IoT. It will be of the channel in UKI. Personal: a day’s massive, especially when 5G comes in helicopter trip and boat ride to the next year. Grand Canyon with my two sons. What is your most treasured Who would play you in the film possession? My dog Ginny. of your life? Crikey, no idea… Robert What do your family think you De Niro? do all day? Day in and day out, my Which tech firm (other than your family think all I do is sit in back-to-back own!) do you most admire? Square webex meetings, listening to people – let’s get rid of cash altogether. from all over the world talking. Or What is your guiltiest pleasure? better yet, they see my business trips Whiskey with a slab of dark chocolate. to HQ in Mountain View, California as What is the most irritating tech regular holidays. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Double-click’. Who has been your mentor in What would be your first act if business? I have had the pleasure of you were made Prime Minister? working with some highly experienced, Ban smoking, full stop, everywhere. knowledgeable people over the years What’s the biggest untapped but I can’t think of a bigger supporter opportunity facing the channel? ZOE ABBOTTS of European channels than Pat Dunne. Software defined, private, cloud, Global channel operations Pat has been a fantastic mentor and delivered as a service. director, Symantec colleague for me, helping translate What is your most treasured Tell us something most people theory into practice in the execution of possession? My iPhone AirPods. won’t know about you I am a international channel programmes. What do your family think you do qualified vet nurse (RVN) and when all day? Talk on my mobile. I can, I volunteer at the local animal Who has been your mentor in hospital charity. business? I don’t have one mentor; What has been your highlight of you can learn so much from everyone 2018 so far? Trekking the Inca Trail to you work with. Machu Picchu. Who would play you in the film of your life? Reese Witherspoon. Which tech firm (other than your own!) do you most admire? Tesla. I admire its focus on sustainable energy solutions and intention to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. What is your guiltiest pleasure? I like my steak rare, my gin with cucumber and a cream tea the right way round: scone, jam, then clotted cream. MARK ARMSTRONG What is the most irritating tech UKI VP channels & alliances, HPE buzzphrase of 2018? I love the Tell us something most people opportunity around GDPR but at the won’t know about you I have run 39 same time it is somewhat irritating as half marathons and two full marathons. everyone is sending emails, saying that My target was 50 halves by aged 50; JON ATHERTON they are going to stop sending emails. family commitments got in the way so Group sales & marketing What would be your first act if it’s now looking like 50 by 52. director, Ci Distribution you were made Prime Minister? What has been your highlight of Tell us something most people Make single-use plastic illegal. 2018 so far? Business: huge successes won’t know about you I am sure What’s the biggest untapped growing hyperconverged and storage this question comes up every two years! opportunity facing the channel? through HPE Simplivity and Nimble And I’m not going incriminate myself

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any further… At 16 I came fourth security, BTO, warranty/repair, online confidence to wider markets to help in the 100m at the National Youth development assistance and so on. businesses understand their true Athletics meet at Alexandria Stadium, What is your most treasured potential. Birmingham. A stepping stone to the possession? I am fortunate to What has been your highlight of youth national team. own some expensive possessions but 2018 so far? Launching Atama.tech – What has been your highlight of my most treasured possession is the B2B part of the Academia Group. 2018 so far? Growing our portfolio of memories I have of my late mother. Who would play you in the film vendors and increasing our customer These are unique to me and my mother of your life? A young Robert Redford breadth across distribution, becoming was and continues to be my inspiration surely? a driving force within client rugged to succeed. Which tech firm (other than your devices and solutions. The success of What do your family think you do own!) do you most admire? Vital Rugged World 2018 for the team was the all day? I don’t know. They do know York – stellar business and technology icing on the cake. I have a strong work ethic and when I support in the North of England. Who would play you in the film of do occasionally do something different What is your guiltiest pleasure? your life? I would like to think Brad – exhibitions in Monaco or Vegas, golf Golf – you can organise a strong Pitt but he doesn’t have the same bone with clients, whatever – it’s important to business deal with me on the back 9. structure as me, so it would have to be have balance. What is the most irritating tech a different actor for each decade of my Who has been your mentor in buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Artificial life… I was half the size I am now even business? Many, many people. We intelligence’ – we have moved on from 10 years ago. should all be inspired by those we are 2004. Which tech firm (other than your around: friends, family, colleagues. It What would be your first act if own!) do you most admire? That should not have to be your chairman you were made Prime Minister? is so difficult due to the amazing work or manager. Without a strong, positive Bankrupt Bitcoin. so many vendors do in pushing the social base around you as a foundation, it What’s the biggest untapped technological boundaries to make our would be hard to focus and be a success. opportunity facing the channel? daily lives easier, simpler, efficient and so Thinking backwards to drive companies on. One area I do admire the progress is forward – there is a natural need to in robotics, specifically for the medical B understand the past to correct the future vertical. How these technological when thinking about technology. robotics are now programmed in What is your most treasured helping patients to adapt to the possession? Any picture I own of condition of each patient as they recover my family – these are the ones behind from strokes, traumatic brain or spinal everything I do. cord injuries and so on. What do your family think you do What is your guiltiest pleasure? all day? Play golf and conduct business Jack and Coke. One ice cube. And a propositions. Topic bar (but not together). Who has been your mentor What is the most irritating tech in business? Adrian Atkinson – buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Blockchain’. chairman of Exitech and the one who What would be your first act if believed I could run my own business. you were made Prime Minister? Abolish University fees. We should be investing in our children. ROB BARDWELL What’s the biggest untapped Group CEO, Pinacl opportunity facing the channel? Tell us something most people That is a difficult one. When I visit MIKE BACON won’t know about you I competed resellers, especially SMEs, they are Founder & managing director, at the Isle of Man motorcycle races crying out for service wraps around Academia Group in the 1980s and 90s with a fastest lap hardware, to differentiate themselves Tell us something most people average of 112mph. against the competitors. Distribution won’t know about you I am What has been your highlight of must do more in assisting our motivational speaker – having learnt 2018 so far? Driving growth across resellers: asset retirement, recycling, from the best I am taking my new the Pinacl Group and our real-world

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DARREN BARKER VP & general manager (UK&I), Hitachi Vantara Tell us something most people won’t know about you On leaving school, I spent the first five years of my working life as a carpenter. A very different job than what I do today. What has been your highlight of 2018 so far? Returning to my roots and becoming UK and Ireland general manager. The team is brilliant and the opportunity ahead of us is unparalleled. Who would play you in the film of your life? I’d like to think Sean Bean – we are both from Yorkshire and tough. My team would suggest Mr Bean is more appropriate, which is probably very true. delivery of IoT solutions. Which tech firm (other than your returns to terrestrial TV. It’s the best Who would play you in the film own!) do you most admire? There sport in the world. of your life? Bradley Cooper. He’s are a few I admire, but it has to be Apple What’s the biggest untapped thoughtful and slightly left of centre. as it was the first trillion-dollar company opportunity facing the channel? It Which tech firm (other than your and its products are easy and fun to use. is the opportunity that is directly ahead own!) do you most admire? Apple, What is your guiltiest pleasure? of us: driving data value. Today, we only for its continued marketing brilliance. Taking my son to watch our team use five per cent of our data. And while What is your guiltiest pleasure? whenever and wherever possible. I also we all know the importance of properly Love Island! I only watch it because it’s enjoy the occasional pint of Guinness. storing and managing your data, we’re on in the house… What is the most irritating tech not making the most of the data – and What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018? We hear a lot in turn, the invaluable insights – buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Deep dive’. about ‘digital currency’, ‘blockchain companies are sitting on today. Why not say ‘take a detailed look’? processing’, ‘augmented reality’. There is The opportunities are limitless – What would be your first act if a lot going on around ‘agile development whether it’s using data to improve the you were made Prime Minister? strategies’ and ‘micro services’ and I customer experience, drive revenue, Bring back national service; instil a good know a lot of companies are investing in identify efficiencies and so on – we’re basis for any walk of life. ‘serve-yourself data warehouses’. What helping our customers make more sense What’s the biggest untapped does it all mean? Well, a bunch of new of their data to drive what we call ‘return opportunity facing the channel? industry terms for what, for the most on data’. IoT. The way this will feed AI and part, is a refinement and evolution in What is your most treasured automation has the greatest potential technology. possession? My original Manchester since the internet. What would be your first act if United scarf, which I wore to my What is your most treasured you were made Prime Minister? first game in 1977. It still makes an possession? My memories: the It seems counter intuitive coming from appearance on big occasions. ones I’ve already built and the ones I’m someone who works in tech, but I What do your family think you do making now. think young people need to put down all day? My 10-year-old daughter, Lily, What do your family think you their technology and get outside more thinks I talk all day. She takes after me! do all day? Hire and fire people (my often, whether that’s through sports or Who has been your mentor daughter actually said this in school). other activities. I would like to see more in business? A Scotsman named Who has been your mentor in investment and programmes supporting Murphy. He spotted something, believed business? Ron Walsh, my first boss at our young people to have sporting in me and gave me an opportunity, Anixter. He showed great leadership and opportunities and new activities. I something I encourage across our great humility. would also make sure Test cricket leadership team.

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all defence spend to reduce the waste that is so obviously prevalent. What’s the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel? Cloud is ushering in enormous opportunities around business migrations and servicing; for the short to medium term it stands to remain that way. What is your most treasured possession? My wine collection, albeit a consumable one… What do your family think you do all day? Now that varies on the day but visibly it’ll be either a good day at the office or a long lunch… Who has been your mentor in business? John Hitchcock is my Godfather. He created a string of companies when access to capital didn’t PAUL BARLOW ALASTAIR BELL exist, sold and retired to Guernsey Managing director, Servium Non-executive chairman, Bell where he lives now. Tell us something most people Integration won’t know about you I’m a Tell us something most people qualified boxing judge. won’t know about you I relax diving What has been your highlight of cave systems in Mexico. 2018 so far? Servium winning a three- What has been your highlight year government supply contract. of 2018 so far? I’m still enjoying Who would play you in the film of it! Family and friends are all well your life? Bob Gunton. and the business is growing well in Which tech firm (other than geographies and areas we excel in. Also, your own!) do you most admire? the creation of a new startup, which is Deliveroo – for getting food to me! groundbreaking in the world of telcos. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Who would play you in the film of Chocolate, chocolate and chocolate. your life? Ray Winstone. What is the most irritating tech Which tech firm (other than your buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital own!) do you most admire? Still productivity’. Sun Microsystems for all it gave free to What would be your first act if the world of development with Java and ANNABEL BERRY you were made Prime Minister? TCPIP, along with the creation of open CEO, Sapphire Ban the game Fortnite! So I could see my systems and of course for allowing us to Tell us something most people son again! build a highly profitable business. won’t know about you A lot of What’s the biggest untapped What is your guiltiest pleasure? people know that I love music but most opportunity facing the channel? Good red wine. people won’t know that I can play the Use of artificial intelligence. What is the most irritating tech harp (badly). It doesn’t get more Welsh What is your most treasured buzzphrase of 2018? Anything that than that! possession? A World War II Jeep. mentioned ‘4th generation’ or ‘paradigm What has been your highlight of What do your family think you do shifts’. More recently, ‘cloud economics’ 2018 so far? Apart from making this all day? Drink tea, sit in meetings and would have me leaving that meeting. A-List, you mean? Definitely celebrating chat. What would be your first act if the end of Sapphire’s biggest ever FY Who has been your mentor in you were made Prime Minister? with the team of people that made it business? Ron Fenwick, managing Create a commercial arm to completely happen. They’re a great bunch and I’m director of Equanet. oversee and govern all civil service and very lucky to work with them.

ChannelWeb.co.uk 7 A-LIST 2019

Who would play you in the film influence on my life and were both of your life? That’s a loaded question! amazing, strong women. I was lucky to I’d like to say Kate Winslet, but I’m sure have them both in my life into my 30s my colleagues would probably say Meryl and I hope I made them proud. Streep, channelling her character in The What do your family think you do Devil Wears Prada… all day? I started off my career in IT Which tech firm (other than your security selling firewalls back in the 1990s. own!) do you most admire? Over If you asked my mum, she’ll probably tell the years, I’ve admired many of our you that’s what I still do – sell firewalls competitors, particularly those startups (which isn’t entirely inaccurate!). that remained true to their identity Who has been your mentor in and focused on what they do best. business? I’ve worked for and with Unfortunately, they tend to lose that some very successful people during my when they get acquired and there aren’t career so far and I’ve learnt a great deal many specialist independents left, which from some of them. So I can’t say I’ve is a real shame. But I do really admire just had one mentor. More recently I’ve those entrepreneurs in the channel who been privileged to spend time with other have set up and run their own successful Leadership Fellows at St George’s House businesses – it’s hard graft. at Windsor Castle, where business What is your guiltiest pleasure? leaders across all sectors get together Sunday night, eating Ben & Jerry’s from to talk about the issues of the day and the tub, drinking wine and watching the to discuss leadership; it’s a real learning Patriots winning. experience and I’ve been lucky to meet What is the most irritating tech some impressive people there. buzzphrase of 2018? It’s not a new buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Blockchain’. one for 2018 by any means but it’s still Does my dog need one? used: ‘big data’. It’s very annoying. It’s NEIL BERVILLE What would be your first act if right up there with being ‘reached out to’. Executive director channel you were made Prime Minister? What would be your first act if EMEA, Lenovo Tackling homelessness in this country you were made Prime Minister? Tell us something most people – everyone should have somewhere I’d make sure a lot more money was won’t know about you I used to decent to live. ploughed into education and also sleep walk when a young kid, thankfully What’s the biggest untapped supporting clubs, activities and sports in my pyjamas! opportunity facing the channel? for kids outside school hours – sitting What has been your highlight of Workplace transformation, supporting indoors playing Fortnite on the PS4 is 2018 so far? Coming through major agile working by leveraging great not healthy. surgery minus the odd organ and feeling technology that keeps people connected What’s the biggest untapped 100 per cent. anywhere / anytime and flexibility for opportunity facing the channel? Who would play you in the film of individuals. Getting more young people into our your life? Jude Law. My wife says she What is your most treasured industry. We all know that we have a wants to meet him. possession? My Specialised Roubaix real shortage of people coming into Which tech firm (other than road bike – my escapism and way to cybersecurity and we need to figure out your own!) do you most admire? unwind. how to address that. Then we need to Microsoft – amazing re-invention after What do your family think you do improve how we take that raw talent the Ballmer era, with a CEO in Satya all day? They struggle to understand and enthusiasm of school leavers or Nadella who generally gets it right in the why I fly two or three days a week to sit graduates and ensure that they have the balance between his company and the in a hotel or conference room and do opportunity to learn from experienced rest of the world. not visit those beautiful cities around and knowledgeable consultants, creating What is your guiltiest pleasure? the world. an elite new resource within the industry. My F-Type convertible. Extravagance Who has been your mentor in What is your most treasured in the extreme – especially for a family business? Overall, in life it’s my wife possession? Jewellery that belonged man of four! Debbie – smart, calm and a great judge to my grandmothers. They were a huge What is the most irritating tech of character.

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WHICH WORD HAS IRRITATED THE MOST?

1 in 9 A-Listers GDPR have signed off 7% want to take a hammer to blockchain

Other top irritations 1 in 10 Digital detox, Digital transformation, The cloud, Reach are fed up of having out, Disruption, aaS, Bleeding edge, Double-click, IoT, artificial intelligence Big data, Eat our own dog food, Lean in, Pivoting on their minds

culture and camaraderie (local and based on facts and a deal (or lack of), across the worldwide group) is excellent with an electoral turnout featuring a and there’s real passion for our future as higher proportion of the previously an MSP. It’s a very exciting environment missing youth vote feels like a good way to be in. to start a more unified journey, whether Who would play you in the film of that’s stay or leave. I’d take the Scottish your life? No one looking for an Oscar. approach and drop eligibility to 16. Which tech firm (other than your What’s the biggest untapped own!) do you most admire? It’s opportunity facing the channel? hard not to be inspired by the way Unlocking the true potential in our Microsoft has evolved its business over people. With that in your corner, the the years. As a partner, we’re in one of sky’s the limit. the most exciting times in its history. If What is your most treasured you’re agile, smart and committed, it’s a possession? My custom Triumph great place to be. Bonneville. Long, low and loud. More What is your guiltiest pleasure? art than motorcycle, it’s a thing of Chocolate, it’s a terrible family trait. beauty. Working on it or riding it, Easter is a testing time. I’m not proud equally therapeutic. RICHARD BEST to say I have stolen candy from multiple What do your family think you Managing director, Comparex UK babies. Sorry kids. do all day? Verbatim: “Something to Tell us something most people What is the most irritating tech do with computers”, “A businessman”, won’t know about you My favourite buzzphrase of 2018? ‘GDPR’. “Selling clouds”. suit is my wetsuit… cliché but true. Nothing to do with its importance or Who has been your mentor in Surfing is something our family does relevance but the relentless emails in business? I won’t embarrass him together and those are always good times. both work and private mail boxes. here, but he knows who he is. A good What has been your highlight of What would be your first act if friend, with sage advice and honest 2018 so far? Closing out a successful you were made Prime Minister? feedback. He never fails to be upbeat, FY18. We’ve made incredible progress A second Brexit referendum. Regardless with incredible passion and energy for in a short space of time. The Comparex of which side you sit, a second vote everything he does.

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eldest spent most his school holidays What is your guiltiest pleasure? in the office so they have a pretty good A bottle of Ridge Monte Bello. understanding. What is the most irritating Who has been your mentor in tech buzzphrase of 2018? The business? I have never had a mentor ‘Connected…(fill in the gap)…cow/ but would absolutely welcome one. car/crop’. Many seem to be science projects at the moment; the big question is how we take them mainstream to change people’s lives and deliver true, measurable business value that exponentially moves either the top or bottom line. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? I would go back and ask the people of the UK if they wanted to make a more informed decision on Brexit. If we voted out again, it would have my 100 per cent PAMELA BLANCHARD support, but if we opted to stay put, it Founder & director, ICA would be the most historic moment of Tell us something most people our generation. won’t know about you In addition What’s the biggest untapped to my day job I also foster mums with opportunity facing the channel? newborns. Helping global enterprises to drive What has been your highlight of BEN BOSWELL digital transformation through the 2018 so far? To make the shortlist for Vice president, Europe, World adoption and implementation of global [CRN’s] Woman of The Year. Wide Technology software agreements. There are millions Who would play you in the film of Tell us something most people of corporate dollars being wasted by your life? Amanda Mealing. won’t know about you I crossed firms who cannot connect the dots Which tech firm (other than your the Southern Ocean on an Icebreaker to between the two – software becomes own!) do you most admire? Softcat. get to Antarctica. It was the longest 48 shelf ware, while true consumption It has achieved incredible growth using hours of my life – exchanged for one of billing and agility is not often realised. a simple sales model and recruitment the greatest experiences. What is your most treasured strategy. What has been your highlight possession? My eclectic collection of What is your guiltiest pleasure? of 2018 so far? Watching the world electronic and soul music (records and Chocolate, sweets and anything junk through the eyes of my 17-month-old MP3s) built up over the last 25 years. food. daughter, watching her be curious, What do your family think you do What is the most irritating tech fearless, learn every day and above all all day? I have been trying to convince buzzphrase of 2018? Everything bring joy and a smile to everyone she them that I work for MI5 and my ‘GDPR’. meets. business card is 007. Sadly they do not What would be your first act if Who would play you in the film believe me. you were made Prime Minister? of your life? Jon Snow from Game Who has been your mentor in Introduce more initiatives for females to of Thrones. 1) Who would not want to business? Many, but in particular, Phil take up STEM. be played by Jon Snow? 2) Winter is Styrlund who is CEO of the Summit What’s the biggest untapped coming... Group has really helped me grow into opportunity facing the channel? Which tech firm (other than the leadership role I proudly sit in today. Expertise-as-a-Service. your own!) do you most He has encouraged me and given me What is your most treasured admire? I am interested in the way confidence to develop my own personal possession? My phone, naturally. that Nvidia is transforming its value brand of leadership. He has taught me What do your family think you proposition to underpin AI in a variety the importance of inclusion, patience and do all day? My family have always of forms and pushing processing power fostering young talent by giving them the been involved with the business and my out to the edge. platform to take a shot at big things.

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What’s the biggest untapped in the South East. I was granted my opportunity facing the channel? first licence at 19 years old, one of the AI. Today there is an AI use-case in youngest in the country at that time. every organisation in the UK. There What has been your highlight are many flavours of AI; we have deep of 2018 so far? Becoming head of scientific research and robotics, which department, enabling me to make get a lot of press coverage. Then simpler positive changes to staff and customers pre-built platforms and APIs such as alike. cognitive services through to the AI- Who would play you in the film of infused tools I use daily, such as Teams. your life? Sandra Bullock. A bit clutsy So help organisations understand what and clumsy, but with a good heart. AI actually is, synthesise the complex, Which tech firm (other than your land the first workload, make it useable own!) do you most admire? HP. Its and cement yourself as a forward- staff are very dedicated, and its products looking, innovative partner. are constantly transforming. A very LAURA BOUCHARD What is your most treasured forward-thinking enterprise. Central government director, possession? My family. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Microsoft UK What do your family think you Wine, red wine, lots of. And cheese What has been your highlight of do all day? My girls think I play (with wine). 2018 so far? I got married. MineCraft. What is the most irritating tech Who would play you in the film of Who has been your mentor in buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Don’t boil the your life? Haha, I am obsessively tidy business? I have been fortunate to have ocean’ or the most irritating word has and there’s a hidden fat girl inside me so so many amazing mentors but I have to been ‘bandwidth’; it’s being used far it would have to be Courteney Cox (aka call out Clare Barclay is an utter legend too frequently. I counted 12 times in a Monica from Friends). who inspires me to be brave and try new 45-minute meeting recently. Which tech firm (other than your things and is always so supportive. What would be your first act if own!) do you most admire? I am a you were made Prime Minister? big advocate for diversity and inclusion That’s far too much a dangerous so I was really impressed with PWC’s LORNA BRINDLEY question to answer, it would get me into ‘flexible talent’ initiative, which allows Technical service manager, trouble… people to apply for jobs, stating their ArtSystems What’s the biggest untapped skills and availability, then matches the Tell us something most people opportunity facing the channel? recruits to relevant projects on which won’t know about you I used to be Service. Service has increasingly become they can work shorter weeks or work a landlady, managing 27 public houses one of the best-selling tools. After sales, for only a few months a year. Also I loved Accenture’s #InclusionStartsWithI campaign. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Box sets – I can’t get enough of crime thrillers like Dexter and Line of Duty. What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018? To be honest, I find corporate jargon the worst, particularly ‘level set’ and ‘reach out’. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? Gosh, I have a very long list including reforming tuition fees, boosting healthcare spending and investing in renewable energy, but a priority would be to have proportional representation in Parliament.

ChannelWeb.co.uk 11 A-LIST 2019

service has become invaluable to our of your life? According to my wife, customers. Tom Hardy. What is your most treasured Which tech firm (other than your possession? My family – my husband own!) do you most admire? I’m and two children are my world. a big fan of the smaller VARs; even What do your family think you do though SHI is a multi-billion dollar all day? My nine-year-old daughter business, at a local level we’ve had to thinks I “shout at men all day”; at least earn our stripes like everyone else and that’s what she told her teacher I do. My I totally respect the smaller VARs that husband thinks I get shouted at all day. differentiate and compete against the big Who has been your mentor in boys. Seeing the investment HPE has business? My direct manager Simon made with a lot of channel partners this Cooksey has mentored me for the last fiscal year has also been very positive. eight years, teaching me how to deal What is your guiltiest pleasure? with situations using best practice. Steve Galaxy and a glass of red wine. Hawker, our MD, has guided me and What is the most irritating tech taught me how to react commercially. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digitisation’. Without the help and support I’ve What would be your first act if Softcat into the small group of UK £1bn received from both of them I would have you were made Prime Minister? revenue companies. Privately, running failed in my role many times over. Start investing back in public services my first ever half marathon and raising and abolish inheritance tax. a large sum of money for Alzheimer’s What’s the biggest untapped Research in memory of my mum. opportunity facing the channel? Who would play you in the film We need to figure out the role the of your life? With a combination of reseller will play when it comes to Men Behaving Badly, pedantic/OCD artificial intelligence. tendencies (Doc Martin) but a soft, What is your most treasured animal-loving streak, Martin Clunes. possession? My family, of course. Note I didn’t choose him for his good What do your family think you looks. do all day? Play golf. Or sit behind a Which tech firm (other than your computer telling people what to do. own!) do you most admire? There Who has been your mentor in are so many to choose from, but over business? I’ve not really had any the last 12 months or so I’d say Nutanix direct business mentoring. I think a lot – really great technology in itself, while of the skills I’ve picked up are from my creating new ways of doing things sporting days. I report directly into our very much in a consumer style (ease VP of global sales and in most cases of use, simple payment models) but support the direction we want to take for corporate organisations. The way it DARREN BRODRICK the UK business in. What you might should be! General manager, SHI UK find interesting is that I left school at What is the most irritating tech Tell us something most people 16 with no qualifications and found my buzzphrase of 2018? It still has to be won’t know about you I’m the head own way in life; hard work and a bit of ‘digital transformation’. So meaningless. coach for Milton Keynes RUFC under luck brings me to where I am today. What would be your first act if 14s, which sometimes can be just as you were made Prime Minister? stressful as working for SHI. Make all citizens of voting age take an What has been your highlight COLIN BROWN IQ test. of 2018 so far? Exceeding 150 UK Managing director, Softcat What’s the biggest untapped employees was a nice sign of the Tell us something most people opportunity facing the channel? investment being made in our business won’t know about you I used to There’s endless opportunity from a and believe it or not this year sees the play bass guitar in a punk rock band. technology perspective but for me 20th anniversary of SHI UK. What has been your highlight of the opportunity is entrusting young, Who would play you in the film 2018 so far? Professionally, taking fresh and diverse talents to take our

12 ChannelWeb.co.uk A-LIST 2019

businesses forward. We all need to Personally, travel. Sri Lanka, Iceland and in business? During my time at create space and delegate leadership Malawi have each provided amazing, Cloudreach, I would highlight the opportunities at a much faster pace than but very different experiences. business founders – James and Pontus we do today. Who would play you in the film of – who have each offered me a very What is your most treasured your life? Martin Freeman. Narrated different perspective on technology, possession? My George Best by Morgan Freeman, of course. growth, business scaling and countless autograph: “To Colin, best wishes from Which tech firm (other than your other areas. George.” My first ever hero! own!) do you most admire? I would What do your family think you call out two British Unicorn companies, do all day? Weirdly they think I lark who do very different things but are about, go to nice restaurants a lot and both highly innovative: Improbable’s generally take it easy. Sadly not much of distributed simulation technology is this is true although we do have a lot of incredible, and has applications beyond fun at Softcat. computer games; and DarkTrace. In a Who has been your mentor in world hungry for better cybersecurity, it business? No one mentor as such. I offers a next-generation solution. was fortunate to have three fantastic What is your guiltiest pleasure? managers at Computacenter (including The Craig Charles Funk & Soul show. the current CEO Mike Norris), each What is the most irritating tech of whom taught me different aspects buzzphrase of 2018? Never mind of leadership that have served me well. 2018, the most irritating phrase of all And of course who could fail to learn time remains ‘single pane of glass’. I’ve loads from the Big Man himself, Martin also heard a worrying uptick in ‘let’s Hellawell! double click on that’ in 2018 specifically. On the technology side, it still pains me ANTONY BYFORD how people mangle ‘DevOps’ without Managing director, Westcon UK&I understanding it. Tell us something most people What would be your first act if won’t know about you There is you were made Prime Minister? another version of me called Stuart. Not Ignoring the unplanned farce that is my weekend flame, but my identical Brexit for the moment, I’d simplify twin brother. I’m told I’m the better our arcane tax laws. For example, I’d looking of the two but I must confess he flatten pension contribution rates, is brighter than me. further incentivise investments in small What has been your highlight of companies and limit the ability for both 2018 so far? Since joining Westcon individuals and companies to make late last year, I’ve had to make some money in the UK while channelling significant changes to our structure, those earnings offshore. processes, how we manage and measure What’s the biggest untapped our performance and moreover what opportunity facing the channel? our priorities should be and who the CHRIS BUNCH Public cloud computing. We’ve barely players are to deliver our goals. What Head of Cloudreach – Europe, touched the tip of the iceberg, and the has been incredible to witness is the Cloudreach Europe opportunity is vast. The world changes response from the team who have Tell us something most people quickly, and I’d encourage everyone to relished the changes and responded won’t know about you I am a fan of think about how they will be making tremendously with record results. unusual investment opportunities. From money in three years. Who would play you in the film EIS-scheme companies, through AIM What is your most treasured of your life? If you wanted a lookalike stocks and cryptocurrencies. possession? My passport. then of course Stuart, but in the world of What has been your highlight of What do your family think you do acting I would say Tom Hanks. During 2018 so far? Professionally, bringing all day? I will quote my wife: “All you his career he has always tried a range of Relus Cloud into the Cloudreach do is make phone calls.” roles to challenge himself and I’d like to family is a big step in our growth plans. Who has been your mentor look back one day to say I did the same.

ChannelWeb.co.uk 13 A-LIST 2019

Which tech firm (other than your C What would be your first act if own!) do you most admire? Intel. you were made Prime Minister? A key player delivering evolving and Tough one. Probably only promote aggressive technologies that have kept people into the cabinet that have real me employed and excited about being in world experience in the sector/industry the IT channel for all these years. that they are going to be making What is your guiltiest pleasure? decisions and policy about. My love for shoes. I have more than 100 What’s the biggest untapped pairs and some are more than 20 years opportunity facing the channel? old and don’t look a month old. I always I still think it’s security. The security say don’t go cheap when you spend half market is still immature, and it will your life on your feet. only become more relevant and more What is the most irritating tech challenging. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Reach out’ – What is your most treasured unless of course you’re a member of The possession? Probably photos – I’d be Four Tops! gutted if I lost them. What would be your first act if What do your family think you do you were made Prime Minister? all day? Pretty much the truth: talking Remove VAT from shoes. RICHARD CALLIS to people most of the day. What’s the biggest untapped Managing director, Metaphor IT Who has been your mentor in opportunity facing the channel? Tell us something most people business? Too many to list, but I’ll Multiple vendors have recently informed won’t know about you I’ve been a highlight Ian ‘Red’ Readman who co- me that they are seeing increased vegetarian for 30 years. founded, built and sold Intercept IT and traction with master agents in the What has been your highlight Benjamin Turner who taught me how to market. Vendors such as Avaya, Mitel of 2018 so far? From a personal approach challenges differently. and RingCentral are seeing a growing point of view my work/life balance percentage of deals run through has improved radically in 2018 and master agents and have voiced that I’m spending a lot more time with my this may be the channel of the future. young family. For Metaphor IT, we’ve This new channel will provide healthy continued to grow faster than we competition and opportunity for expected and won some great, long- distributors like us. term managed services contracts. What is your most treasured Who would play you in the film possession? My 3,000+ vinyl of your life? My life isn’t interesting collection. I used to DJ for many years enough to have a film made about it. and I have a number of originals and Which tech firm (other than your bootlegs that are just priceless. And no, own!) do you most admire? I I’m not available for birthdays, weddings like what Branson is trying to do with or bar mitzvahs. Hyperloop One and likewise Musk with What do your family think The Boring Company. I always admire you do all day? Most of my good companies that are innovating and friends, family and acquaintances don’t trying to change the accepted norm. understand the channel and what it is. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Therefore most people think I just sell Sadly, I do still spend an unreasonable PCs and continue to ask me to look at amount of time kicking a football about their laptops when they stop working. in my back garden. Who has been your mentor in What is the most irritating tech business? For a number of years, a buzzphrase of 2018? I’ve found ZOE CHATLEY very dear friend of mine called Malcom people have got a little caught up in how Associate partner, Wallace Hind Ramsay, who sadly passed away a year people pronounce certain tech phrases. Tell us something most people to the day that I write this. A channel Does it really matter as long as people won’t know about you I train at any legend and damn good fellow. understand? all-female weightlifting performance

14 ChannelWeb.co.uk A-LIST 2019

training group and can currently dead- Who has been your mentor in lift 82.5kg. business? In times of challenge, I read What has been your highlight The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama; of 2018 so far? I visited my sister I believe the better person you are the in New Zealand for the first time in better your business will be. 2018 and have never been to a more beautiful place. Who would play you in the film of your life? Haha! I’d like to think Reece Witherspoon: a strong, blonde, independent woman with a quirky side. Which tech firm (other than your own!) do you most admire? I am still a big fan of Softcat. The way it has grown, the technology it engages with and the people culture. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Watching box sets on Netflix and good MATT CHILD films. I can lose hours and switch off. Managing director, Endpoint What is the most irritating Solutions (Tech Data UK&I) tech buzzphrase of 2018? ‘AI’ – Tell us something most people everything is about AI. It’s not really a won’t know about you I used to run buzzphrase but it’s talked about a lot. Leeds United FC. What would be your first act if What has been your highlight of you were made Prime Minister? I 2018 so far? It has been a successful SIMON CHURCH would really want to help more people first year for my son at high school. General manager & executive get back into work and be self-sufficient. Who would play you in the film VP Europe, Optiv I’d put more resource into job centres, of your life? A young Russell Crowe Tell us something most people homeless shelters and drug workers. for the early years, Russell Grant for the won’t know about you Something What’s the biggest untapped ‘40+’ years! that might seem surprising to those opportunity facing the channel? Which tech firm (other than your who know me professionally is that I’m Not necessarily untapped but I feel own!) do you most admire? Every actually a very private person. resellers could do more within the smart tech firm I work with has its own What has been your highlight of tech market. It’s already doing well in unique appeal. 2018 so far? Joining Optiv and being distribution but needs more of a push at What is your guiltiest pleasure? given the opportunity to build a business the reseller end. A good whiskey. from scratch without being encumbered What is your most treasured What is the most irritating tech by legacy. possession? It has to be my beagle buzzphrase of 2018? Anything Who would play you in the film of Jenson. He is the most treasured thing in starting with a ‘#’. your life? Charlton Heston, as we both my life. Don’t tell my husband! What would be your first act if have a passion for chariot racing. What do your family think you do you were made Prime Minister? Which tech firm (other than your all day? Magic people out of thin air Give the NHS more than a fighting own!) do you most admire? I and place them in to jobs that have also chance of survival via the adoption and struggle to admire anybody, but I do like appeared out of nowhere. deployment of appropriate technologies. the absolute no-boundaries approach of Who has been your mentor in What’s the biggest untapped Space X. business? It has to be the person who opportunity facing the channel? What is your guiltiest pleasure? taught me everything to do with the IT Utilising subscription models to free up Not having one! channel. I won’t name him but he taught capital to invest in growth initiatives. What is the most irritating me what the IT channel was and how to What is your most treasured tech buzzphrase of 2018? It’s not work the market. He also taught me to possession? My family. necessarily of 2018, but I can’t stand be a better recruiter; I still use many of What do your family think you do ‘next-gen’. Everything is next gen – I his lessons today. all day? Top up the cashpoint. even heard Lance Armstrong talk about

ChannelWeb.co.uk 15 A-LIST 2019

next-gen coffee recently. As an industry, PAUL CUBBAGE we have created too many buzzphrases; Managing director, Target let’s just call it what it is and make sure Components it works. Tell us something most people What would be your first act if won’t know about you I was a you were made Prime Minister? caul baby. It’s rare and considered I’d do a complete review on social lucky. Famous people born with the media, looking at the benefits and caul include Napoleon, Charlemagne, dangers of non-regulation and then act Sigmund Freud… and George Formby. upon these findings. It’s evident that What has been your highlight of social media has had a massive impact 2018 so far? It has to be our Open on society, especially on the youngsters Day, which doubled up as our 20th who have grown up with it. We need to birthday celebration. Amazing day and ensure that it has been developed and night and we were very lucky to get to continues to develop in a way that does share it with so many of our customers more good, benefiting individuals and and vendors. society as a whole. Who would play you in the film of What’s the biggest untapped your life? I don’t think we’ll ever have opportunity facing the channel? to worry about that. Everybody seems to be doing and saying Which tech firm (other than the same thing, which gives Optiv a your own!) do you most admire? great opportunity to stand out from I wouldn’t say admire, but the growth the crowd. business. Second is completing my term of some of today’s giant tech firms What is your most treasured as president of Ibec, an amazing year is intriguing. Take Amazon; its basic possession? Not telling you, so it’s representing the voice of Irish business model was to undercut the market not a target! at home and internationally. to drive out competition, then use What do your family think you Who would play you in the film of dominance to dictate pricing. Years on, do all day? With all the madness that your life? Meryl Streep. it’s still following the first part but still comes with doing what I do, they think Which tech firm (other than your not able to drive prices up. But along I’m running a circus. own!) do you most admire? Zinopy the way it has morphed into so many Who has been your mentor in Security, which is why I acquired it. things it would never have imagined at business? There’s been many – most What is your guiltiest pleasure? the start. of whom didn’t even know they were, Ferrero Rocher. What is your guiltiest pleasure? I but special thanks to Mark Sherratt, What is the most irritating tech am genuinely struggling to think of one Robin Dahlberg, Steve Odom and Mark buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital detox’. (honest – I even asked my wife). McLaughlin. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? First let’s see what type of Brexit we EDEL CREELY have. Group managing director, What’s the biggest untapped Trilogy Technologies opportunity facing the channel? Tell us something most people Consolidation – there’s still too much won’t know about you After school, fragmentation in the market. I considered studying music but chose What is your most treasured engineering instead. I continued my possession? My violin. classical training in violin and today What do your family think you do I play regularly with the Hibernian all day? Go to meetings. Orchestra in Dublin. Who has been your mentor in What has been your highlight business? Previous bosses in my of 2018 so far? Two highlights: one earlier career: Frank Cole, David Laird has been the acquisition of Zinopy and more recently our chairman Security in the last month, doubling our Arthur Griffin.

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WHICH TECH FIRM IS MOST ADMIRED?

Best of the rest Accenture, Air IT, Also, ANS, ARM, Boston Dynamics, Bytes, DarkTrace, Deliveroo, Exertis, Facebook, Garmin, GE, HPE Aruba, Hyperloop One, iDEA, Improbable, Intel, Kobalt Music, LinkedIn, Managed 24/7, Mirus IT, Monzo, Oxford Foundry, PWC, QURED, SCC, Siemens, Sonos, Square, Sun Microsystems, Tandberg, Tech Data, The Boring Company, Twitter, Virgin Galactic, Vital York, Zinopy Security, Zuora

What is the most irritating tech opportunity facing the channel? D buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Internet of Would anyone genuinely answer this things’. And maybe not a buzzphrase, question? By no means untapped, but but the over-use of ‘gaming’ when as a channel we’re still struggling to describing products that clearly aren’t. promote the real-life benefits of smart What would be your first act if home (as opposed to the quirky things you were made Prime Minister? it can do that have no real value). But I We did some research a few years ago think (hope) we’re slowly improving. that showed independent retailers What is your most treasured employ 13 times the number of staff possession? I’m not sure I’ve any per £1m sales than online retailers. genuinely ‘treasured’ possessions, but The recent carnage on the high street if I had to pick something it would be a highlights the choice – allow the signed photo of Nat Lofthouse’s opening downward spiral to continue or do goal in the 1958 Cup Final (it’s the only something to level the playing field and picture hanging in our living room). protect bricks and mortar retail. What do your family think you do I’d introduce an online sales tax at all day? I work with my wife, so she source – think of it like an additional should have a pretty good idea. VAT rate – to help level the field on Who has been your mentor in MIKE DANSON pricing, and use the revenue to support business? For the most part we’ve CEO, Natilik physical stores (particularly indies worked it out as we’ve gone along Tell us something most people where the economic benefit is greatest). and learnt from our own mistakes won’t know about you I was invited Online will still thrive, but will do so and successes, so no one person in to attend the Royal School of Music on its intrinsic values – for example, particular. But if you’re open to it, you when I was 12. convenience – rather than through can pretty much learn something from What has been your highlight of overhead/price advantage. everyone. So in a roundabout way, 2018 so far? As a business, completing What’s the biggest untapped nobody and everybody! our 10th successive year of growth. And

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personally, finally finishing a long house the Bollywood actor Kajol is probably renovation project. the best fit. After my failure in the school Who would play you in the film choir dancing became my ‘thing’ – of your life? My long-lost cousin Ted especially Bollywood dancing as there’s Danson. no singing required! There are a loads Which tech firm (other than your of great Bollywood actors but they’re own!) do you most admire? What often ‘girly-girls’. Kajol’s different: she’s Space X are doing is pretty cool and my independent and unafraid of challenging kids are fascinated by ‘reusable rockets’. social norms. I loved her in Kuch Kuch What is your guiltiest pleasure? A Hota Hai; the way she wore jeans and full-English breakfast. sneakers and challenged the boys in her What is the most irritating tech school at basketball – she smashed the buzzphrase of 2018? ‘AI’. Everything Bollywood mould. She’s also really funny, now seems to have some form of which I appreciate. Having a bit of a artificial intelligence. laugh during the day is hugely important What would be your first act if to me, and I think Kajol would be able to you were made Prime Minister? capture that side of me well. To sort out Brexit. Which tech firm (other than What’s the biggest untapped your own!) do you most admire? opportunity facing the channel? Facebook. On the business side of Helping clients adopt all the technology out the rest of the choir. I was mortified things, I’m in awe of how Facebook has they continue to buy. but heartened by the fact that I could helped rewrite the rules of marketing. What is your most treasured leave the choir and pursue my other We now use Facebook as an integral possession? My foam roller. I’m latent passion: drama. That wasn’t to component of many of the campaigns training for a half-marathon at the work out either, however: I turned up to we run here at FMXA, and we’ve moment and I wouldn’t be able to walk the first drama class only to be told that delivered some strong results for clients after some of the long runs without a the class would have a special focus that using the platform. Along with the post-run roll. year: musicals. I was fated never to make other social media giants, Facebook has What do your family think you it as a music or film industry A-Lister completely transformed the marketing do all day? My 11 and 9-year-old – so thank heavens the channel has its industry and that’s an impressive feat. daughters’ response was: “Boring phone own A-List. From a personal perspective, calls, emails, video calls and meetings What has been your highlight Facebook is essential for how I (where you talk nonsense).” Charming! of 2018 so far? That’s easy: making communicate with my family. I’m from a It’s hard to compete with a wife who is a the shortlist for the CRN Women in huge family – there are 500 of us spread doctor who “makes people better”! Channel Awards in the Entrepreneur across the US, Africa, Dubai, Singapore Who has been your mentor in of the Year category. On a personal and the UK – and it’s not possible to business? I’ve taken advice from a level, it’s great to receive recognition in stay in contact with everyone using huge number of people over the years this way. Setting up a company is one traditional methods. Facebook has and continue to seek feedback wherever of the most rewarding things I’ve done allowed us to all keep track of what the I can get it. in my life and I can’t recommend the others are doing so that when we do all experience enough to anyone who’s meet up we can pick up from where we up for taking risks and thrives in a left off. ALISHA DATTANI dynamic work environment. The awards What is your guiltiest pleasure? CEO & founder, FMXA themselves also chime with another of Cheese, particularly Epoisses, Tell us something most people my passions: helping to attract a greater accompanied with a bold and deep won’t know about you I’m a number of women into the IT channel. Chateauneuf-du-Pape. dreadful singer. I mean, really terrible. My goal is to become a role model for What is the most irritating tech At school we had a choir, which was women contemplating a move into the buzzphrase of 2018? OK, it’s been supposed to be open to all, regardless of industry – proof that it can be done with around for longer than this year, but ability. However, I was so bad that my hard work and dedication. it’s getting used so frequently now it’s teacher took me aside and asked me to Who would play you in the film lost all meaning: ‘disruption’. Maybe pretend to sing so that I didn’t drown of your life? Good question. I think 10 years ago we were seeing true

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disruption, but today the term’s little division to help firms position their more than a marketing buzzword. Every products for this important market tech company says they’re launching a – we’ve already carried out some disruptive new product, or disrupting successful campaigns in this space and whatever industry they’re in. If we’re actively looking to persuade some everyone’s disrupting, then by definition of our core clients about the scale of the what they’re doing isn’t disruptive! I opportunity at hand. think tech businesses need to be clearer What is your most treasured about their propositions and take the possession? My running medals. time to outline their differentiators, Over the past six years I’ve become rather than trying to dazzle them with a passionate runner and I’ve kept the the ‘disruptive’ tag. commemorative medals I’ve been What would be your first act if presented at the end of each event: you were made Prime Minister? from my first ever 5K all the way up At the risk of stirring up a hornets’ nest, to the London Marathon. I keep them I would have to say that I would look all in a shoe box and go through them into reversing Brexit. This isn’t for any as I plan my races for the year ahead. ideological motive, and I’m sure there They serve as a reminder that through are many reasons for why leaving is a hard work and commitment I was able good idea, but when it comes to the tech to start from nothing and work up to ADAM DAVISON channel it raises some real concerns. completing one of the world’s biggest Sales & marketing director, Most of our vendors are based in the running challenges. Cloud Distribution US or Israel and they’ve traditionally What does your family think Tell us something most people seen the UK as their sales gateway into you do all day? I asked my youngest won’t know about you I’m Europe. Brexit endangers this enviable daughter about this the other day and teetotal… OK, OK, I lied! position. What’s more, the prospect she said: “You wear high heels, see the What has been your highlight of of Brexit has already badly damaged London Eye and play on your computer.” 2018 so far? We’ve been fortunate the pound, which increases the cost of My eldest daughter thinks I sit in to have had lots of highlights this year buying tech from abroad. If the pound meetings all day (true) and tell people including breaking the £20m barrier, but continues to fall post-Brexit then firms off (not true… most of the time). As far I’m particularly proud of the recognition might reconsider where they place their as my husband’s concerned – I don’t we’ve received from our vendor partners IT purchasing teams, an eventuality that think he knows what I do. – EMEA Distributor of the Year from could badly damage the UK IT channel. Who has been your mentor in Blackberry and Best Cloud Distributor At FMXA we’re doing what we can to business? I’ve had lots of good bosses from Acronis. mitigate against this: we’re positioned in my time, each one of which has Who would play you in the film of as a truly European business (which contributed to my management style your life? Probably Tom Hardy. we are) and we’re invested in getting a and how I run FMXA, but there’s no one Which tech firm (other than strong foothold on the continent. I’d consider a true mentor. But playing your own!) do you most admire? What’s the biggest untapped make-believe for a moment: if there’s Apple. Steve Jobs created a technology opportunity facing the channel? anyone I’d have loved to have been my company that created cool things – but I think the B2C cybersecurity market is mentor it’s Sheryl Sandburg. I’m hugely with the absolute best user experience. hugely under-exploited. More connected inspired both by her journey to her He totally understood the balance devices than ever are entering our place on the Facebook board and her between value, design and technology. homes – from smart speakers to Wi-Fi ability to balance her family life with What is your guiltiest pleasure? cameras to connected toys. As this trend her career. Her example has in part Listening to Video Killed The Radio Star accelerates, people are going to become inspired me to write a book on how to on full volume in the car. increasingly concerned about securing be a successful female entrepreneur and What is the most irritating tech these devices to protect their families how to blend family and work lives for buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Artificial and their personal data – not to mention maximum productivity. My dream is to intelligence’, simply because it’s over- their professional data as people work finish the book and get it published on used and misunderstood. I’m seeing from home more and more. Indeed, International Women’s Day – so watch some truly disruptive AI technology FMXA is launching a B2C cybersecurity this space. companies – particularly in cyber-

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security – that have the potential to 2018 so far? Professionally, the hard create significant opportunities for the work, commitment and sheer bloody channel. Unfortunately, these disruptors mindedness from the great people in are being over-shadowed by vendors our business being reward by being that have jumped on the buzzword shortlisted for Security VAR of the Year. bandwagon, bolting on the AI phrase to Personally, beating Spurs! their messaging without really having a Who would play you in the film of solution behind it. your life? The only cool bald bloke I What would be your first act if can think of is Bruce Willis, although the you were made Prime Minister? jumping off tall buildings wouldn’t work I’d introduce a four-day working week. (see answer 1). There are many studies that show a four- Which tech firm (other than your day working week improves employees’ own!) do you most admire? It has life satisfaction and mental health to be Softcat, for keeping it simple in massively, without a loss in productivity. a world where we all try and over- What’s the biggest untapped complicate or over-think things and for opportunity facing the channel? sticking to its core principles – always. The move to managed security services, What is your guiltiest pleasure? for sure. Eating an entire tub of Haagen Dazs – What is your most treasured Pralines & Cream. possession? My dog (but don’t tell What is the most irritating tech my wife). buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Automation’. If What do your family think you you believe what you read the whole IT do all day? Drink coffee and go out industry has been replaced with robots. to lunch. They don’t think I work, that’s Did anyone mention a skills shortage in for sure. our industry? Who has been your mentor in What would be your first act if What has been your highlight of business? He wasn’t a personal you were made Prime Minister? 2018 so far? My son’s engagement to mentor but someone I really admired Undo Brexit. Can you imagine how his long-term girlfriend. was Steve Jobs. great this country would be if we had Who would play you in the film of focused all that energy over the last two your life? Matt Damon. years on fixing domestic issues? Which tech firm (other than What’s the biggest untapped your own!) do you most admire? opportunity facing the channel? It Microsoft – it funds Bill Gates’s global has to be the management and security philanthropy. of personal data. What is your guiltiest pleasure? What is your most treasured Wine. possession? My wedding ring. What is the most irritating tech What do your family think you do buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Ideation’. all day? Fix computers. What would be your first act if Who has been your mentor in you were made Prime Minister? business? Three very different people Broadband access free to all. have shaped my career: Geoff Wellen What’s the biggest untapped at Microwarehouse, Stuart Fenton at opportunity facing the channel? Insight and Scott Haddow now. Impact of AI technologies. ANGELO DI VENTURA What is your most treasured Chief sales & marketing officer, possession? My dog. MTI SCOTT DODDS What do your family think you do Tell us something most people CEO, Ultima Business Solutions all day? Talk about robots. won’t know about you I’m terrified Tell us something most people Who has been your mentor of heights. won’t know about you I can juggle in business? Not who, but what: What has been your highlight of – useful in this industry. common sense.

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opportunity facing the channel? Exploring new countries or even Getting SIs to join forces with AI ISVs. continents on my motorbike. What is your most treasured What is the most irritating tech possession? My terrace that’s filled buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Superfast fibre with plants and two massive olive trees internet on BT’s copper network’. that are now baring fruit. What would be your first act if What do your family think you do you were made Prime Minister? all day? I think just run an IT business, Fast-track infrastructure projects in the work hard, talk a lot and train hard. UK, like France and Spain now have. Who has been your mentor in What’s the biggest untapped business? I’ve always looked up to opportunity facing the channel? Richard Branson as I like his idea of Adopting the cloud economy. ‘screw it, let’s do it’. What is your most treasured possession? My BMW 1200GS bike. What do your family think you do E all day? Dreaming up new cloudy ideas called marketing. Who has been your mentor in CHRIS DUNNING business? My other half. CEO & founder, TechQuarters Tell us something most people won’t know about you This year I came third in the London Triathlon Super Sprint and hope to do the same at the Barcelona Tri in October. What has been your highlight of 2018 so far? Winning the CRN Award for Cloud Service Provider of the Year in November 2017. Who would play you in the film of your life? Tom Hanks from Apollo 13. Which tech firm (other than your own!) do you most admire? Garmin. I have one of their watches and am loving the new analytics. HANSPETER EISELT What is your guiltiest pleasure? CMO, Nuvias Magnums x 3. Tell us something most people What is the most irritating tech won’t know about you I am crazy buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Future-proof’ about yachting and I love the PAUL EMERY as, let’s face it, in the tech industry we America’s Cup. Vice president of cloud solutions all want the latest gadget as soon as it What has been your highlight of & services, ScanSource comes out, not something that will last 2018 so far? Returning to bike riding Tell us something most people forever. in Wiltshire after having spent the last won’t know about you My first job What would be your first act if 12 months in Boston. was working for Boots (The Chemist) in you were made Prime Minister? Who would play you in the film of the photography department. Processing Spend more money on healthcare and your life? Pierce Brosnan, with all his and developing the general public’s probably allow certain states in Europe James Bond gadgets. 35mm film meant I got to see some to work here on extended visas if they Which tech firm (other than your rather interesting photos! have the skills. Then if they are here for own!) do you most admire? Apple What has been your highlight five years or more and working they get for game-changing the IT industry of 2018 so far? It has to be the citizenship if they want it. (from close-to-bust to $1tn company). ScanSource event at Goodwood Festival What’s the biggest untapped What is your guiltiest pleasure? of Speed. Flying into Goodwood in

22 ChannelWeb.co.uk A-LIST 2019 a helicopter with our partners and F transformation’ is the first of irritants. spending the weekend there was However, I get most irritated by certainly special. LinkedIn requests from people with Who would play you in the film of stupid titles such as ‘growth hackers’ your life? Henry Cavill. who appear to have grown nothing; Which tech firm (other than your ‘Thought leaders’ who think little; own!) do you most admire? For ‘International public speakers’ who me it has to be Apple. I am a big Apple don’t speak; and ‘Disrupters’ whose only fan and pretty much have all of its disruption is the failure in the CV. technology gadgets; its innovation is What would be your first act if something I really admire. you were made Prime Minister? What is your guiltiest pleasure? Day 1: sort Brexit out using business This one ties in with who would play leaders. Day 2: sack most of the cabinet. me in the film of my life. My guiltiest Day 3: terminate the House of Lords. pleasure is going to the cinema with a Day 4: fly Boris to Antarctica on a one- mate to watch the latest Marvel or DC way ticket. Day 5: fix the tax system. Comics film. What’s the biggest untapped What is the most irritating tech opportunity facing the channel? buzzphrase of 2018? There are Partner co-selling for end-to-end several. ‘DX’, ‘artificial intelligence’… but solutions. I suspect that partners that do I would probably say ‘blockchain’ wins not co-sell well will be left behind over that one. STUART FENTON the coming years. Clients want to buy What would be your first act if CEO, QuantiQ connected solutions, so partners cannot you were made Prime Minister? Tell us something most people continue to sell in a disconnected fashion. I’d start by working on the current won’t know about you I played What is your most treasured Brexit climate – not an easy job I’m sure. the Hammond Organ (badly) in a jazz possession? I tend not to value What’s the biggest untapped band for a few years. I stopped playing ‘things’. I don’t have expensive houses, opportunity facing the channel? when I heard a recording of how bad I watches, suits or cars. I see these things One of the biggest opportunities is was. I still play, but only to myself and I as superficial and wasteful. I feel that the solution selling. It is becoming a lot never record. pursuit of things is fuelling discontent in easier for partners to sell an entire What has been your highlight of life. I value time. Time with my family, solution to an end user – for instance 2018 so far? It will always be our most time in business, time to think, time to UCaaS, CCaaS, CRM, DC, Connectivity, recent win, which changes regularly. listen, time to read. IT and AV – without having to be a Who would play you in the film What do your family think you do specialist, especially if it’s sold through of your life? It needs to be someone all day? Eat. an agency model and all delivered via overweight, scruffy and outspoken – Who has been your mentor in the cloud. perhaps Jack Black. business? I get a lot of traditional What is your most treasured Which tech firm (other than mentoring from books. Various people possession? I love cars and I’ve just your own!) do you most admire? have provided me with great advice bought a Porsche Macan S, so I would Microsoft is the easy answer because of on my journey. Adam Shaffer of Micro have to say that. its relentless pace and hunger. Microsoft Warehouse for direct marketing. Tim What do your family think you do has moved from being the Windows and Crown, founder of Insight for thoughtful all day? When I asked my wife that Office company to a cloud leader. But business analysis and care for people. question, she responded: “You help your not infra-cloud like Amazon – Microsoft Jim Martin of Sayers.com for money company sell cloud things.” I think that remains an applications business – management. Martin Wolf of Martin is close enough! but Azure applications, Dynamics Wolf Associates for M&A. You get Who has been your mentor in applications, Office (new) applications. something from everyone, particularly business? I’ve been pretty lucky What is your guiltiest pleasure? those who have worked for me including in business to have lots of different Listening to jazz music at home when Gary Butters on enterprise sales, Tony mentors over the years, ranging from the family are all out. Such a rarity. Brooker on mid-market sales, Candice both executives in the US to peers in What is the most irritating tech Arnold on social media and Russell the UK. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital Leighton on big business finance.

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What’s the biggest untapped Who would play you in the film of opportunity facing the channel? your life? Tom Cruise – he is the right Leveraging the younger generation. height and a lot better looking. Live streaming: increasing brand Which tech firm (other than awareness, engaging customers and your own!) do you most admire? building strong loyalty. Netflix – as an ex-cable TV MD I know What is your most treasured how hard it is to get a big audience possession? My memories and share in TV and Netflix has made it experiences. I’ve been privileged to have look easy. had some special family times as well as What is your guiltiest pleasure? some great experiences in the corporate Chocolate. environment. What is the most irritating tech What do your family think you buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Cloud’. do all day? Shuffle paperclips and What would be your first act if then purchase a few things. And the you were made Prime Minister? occasional ‘networking social’. I’d change the electoral boundaries so Who has been your mentor that every vote counted the same. STEWART FILLER in business? Having been at What’s the biggest untapped Director of partner management, Computacenter for 18 years, having a opportunity facing the channel? Computacenter (UK) stable leadership team has been very The move to a whole new range of Tell us something most people beneficial. I’ve also been very lucky over recurring revenue services. There are won’t know about you I’m actually the years to have had some of the best still too many companies reliant on only 39 despite the wrinkles. managers in the industry (you know box shifting. What has been your highlight of who are so no names required). What is your most treasured 2018 so far? There are so many to possession? My rescue doggie, Coco. choose from. However, as a manger of a What do your family think you do large team, I get great satisfaction seeing all day? Talk a lot. them develop and thrive in their careers. Who has been your mentor I get extremely proud when they are in business? Roger Wilson, our nominated for industry awards. chairman, has been my mentor for Who would play you in the film of nearly 25 years. Everyone needs your life? Leonardo DiCaprio. someone to bounce ideas off. Which tech firm (other than your own!) do you most admire? HPi. Having worked with the company for CLIFF FOX many years, its ability to re-invent itself, Group chief operating officer, drive profitability but still maintain Pure Technology Group channel integrity, is credible in the Tell us something most people competitive environment we all work in. won’t know about you I once took What is your guiltiest pleasure? three penalties at Peter Shilton (Google I wouldn’t say they are guilty pleasures him if you’re under 30). I scored two as I don’t feel an ounce of guilt but have out of three and then asked him why he been known to help my team celebrate didn’t save one in 1990 against Germany. success into the early hours. He was OK with it – nice bloke. What is the most irritating tech What has been your highlight of buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Leaning in’, IAN FISHWICK 2018 so far? Work, record growth ‘reaching out’, ‘headwinds’. CEO, AdEPT Technology Group for the group, reflecting huge effort and What would be your first act if Tell us something most people great teamwork. Home, taking my son you were made Prime Minister? won’t know about you As a teenager to Paris for the weekend and seeing Resign and ask for my old job back as I was a drummer in a rock band. PSG win the league – a bit different to this one is much more rewarding and What has been your highlight of watching Bolton Wanderers, although certainly much more fun. 2018 so far? Buying Shift F7. their miraculous escape from relegation

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What is your most treasured Which tech firm (other than possession? The watch my father your own!) do you most admire? bought me. That’s a hard one; there’s so many great What do your family think you do companies out there. I’d have to say all day? “Am I bovvered?” came the Google for its innovative culture and reply. its ability to adapt in this ever-changing Who has been your mentor in environment. business? There’s no one person. I’ve What is your guiltiest pleasure? been lucky to work with some talented, Yoga. I’ve found it to be a great way to dedicated and unusual people – I’ve start the morning or unwind after a learnt from many and thank them all. busy day. What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Artificial intelligence’. I find people mention it a lot, but it’s often misinterpreted. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? I’d introduce compulsory military service for young people. I think the armed forces provide people with at the end of last season was a highlight fantastic life skills that can be integrated in itself. into any future roles and it’d be a great Who would play you in the film way to increase the appreciation of our of your life? Are you serious? Is this service people. question designed for narcissists? OK, if What’s the biggest untapped I have to pick – Andy Serkis, with loads opportunity facing the channel? of CGI. Automation. I believe by adopting Which tech firm (other than your automation you can solve a multitude own!) do you most admire? I guess of business issues from driving out it still has to be Apple – its focus on inefficiently to reducing costs and quality and attention to detail keeps it improving services. as the world’s most valuable tech stock, What is your most treasured still. Tesla has many similar attributes, possession? My 1976 Raleigh great vision. MATT FRANKLIN Chopper! I have it as a decorative item What is your guiltiest pleasure? CEO, Roc Technologies in my living room; although my children Kraken Rum with Jamaican Ginger Beer Tell us something most people seem to have other ideas as to what and lime. That’s all I’m admitting to. won’t know about you In 1984 I ‘decorative’ means. I’m always having to What is the most irritating tech won the Young Farmer’s Tractor Driver tell them to step away. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Reach out’, of the Year – my father was a farmer. What do your family think you ‘granular’, ‘GDPR’ (still echoing), What has been your highlight do all day? I think they believe I ‘leverage’, ‘disrupt’, ‘ecosystem’ – take of 2018 so far? 2018 has been spend the day at lunches, dinners and your pick. Is it irritating or just funny? an amazing year so far with many mostly talking complete nonsense. What would be your first act if highlights. One that particularly stands They often say, “You’re in IT, can you you were made Prime Minister? out is winning our largest managed fix my PC?” Reverse Brexit under an Executive serviced contact, a £15m five-year Who has been your mentor in Order (we have those don’t we?). contract to transform and manage IT business? My parents. They instilled What’s the biggest untapped services by Dounreay Site Restoration in me the importance of hard work opportunity facing the channel? as it strives to decommission its nuclear and commitment from a very early age Innovation – developing services in site safely. by getting me up at 6am to help milk IoT and VR, for example, will deliver Who would play you in the film of the cows. Living on a farm, there were the next cloud-like opportunities in the your life? Ray Winstone from the film always jobs that needed doing and this future. Better lead than follow? Sexy Beast. could be any time of the day or night.

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employees and customers. What is your most treasured possession? My cat (although she would not see herself as being ‘owned’ by me or anyone). She has been with me for 17 years, seen me through the good times and bad. She has seen my triumphs and failures yet has loved consistently through them all. What do your family think you do all day? Drink coffee, chat, play golf, go to lunches, dinners and award ceremonies. Who has been your mentor in business? My partner. He is FD in a major corporate and very good at bringing me down to earth, frequently with coaching such as “Well you are the leader, go sort it!”. HELEN FREESTONE What is your guiltiest pleasure? Director of partnerships & 5am, green tea, porridge and half an alliances, Vodafone hour of reading the Telegraph before I G Tell us something most people start my work day. Real me time. won’t know about you I went to the What is the most irritating tech same school (and was in the same class) buzzphrase of 2018? For me it’s as Zoe Ball. about people using the word ‘digital’ out What has been your highlight of of context. Being digital is something 2018 so far? I was lucky enough to we all must embrace and it’s not the attend the London Business School for a future, it is here and if you haven’t week as part of the Vodafone Leadership already done it you are being left behind. Talent Programme. We heard from That’s why businesses need to put the some amazing speakers, professors effort into becoming digital and not just and academics about our potential prefix established systems as such. Only futures and how to lead in that context. when we fully embrace the needs of our It changed my perspective in terms of customers and address them through where we are now, what is coming and simplification, integration, automation how we need to be thinking differently. can we truly say we’re digital. Who would play you in the film What would be your first act if of your life? Jodie Foster (she is you were made Prime Minister? awesome). Everyone has to be a little bit kinder to Which tech firm (other than your each other. own!) do you most admire? Boston What’s the biggest untapped Dynamics. Now owned by Google, opportunity facing the channel? founded in the 1990s out of MIT, it is We have yet to see the full power making the Sci-Fi of my childhood a of AI and automation. It is going to reality. If you have a look at some of the fundamentally change the way we work, YOLANTA GILL YouTube videos of what these robots think, interact and possibly our entire CEO, European Electronique can now do, and combine that with social fabric. It has amazing power for Tell us something most people emerging AI, the potential is mind- good and untapped potential. If we as won’t know about you I was once blowing. I can’t watch one of their an industry get ahead of the thinking arrested. I’ll tell you more next year! videos without getting super-excited and embrace it, we can create a different What has been your highlight of about what the future holds for us. type of future for our companies, 2018 so far? Achieving 100 per cent

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growth in consultancy business into the the front of what consumers want and public sector. how they want it. That said, more work Who would play you in the film of is required to be more ethical – I mean, your life? Jodie Comer. ‘Amazon controversies’ even has its own Which tech firm (other than your Wikipedia page! own!) do you most admire? HPE What is your guiltiest pleasure? Aruba – from a very selfish point of Love Island. I don’t think I need to add view as this is the biggest growth area anything else. within our business. Since the HPE What is the most irritating tech acquisition of Aruba they have gone buzzphrase of 2018? ‘…aaS’ with from strength to strength taking the a special irritation around ‘value- market share from other vendors. For added services’, when so many fail to the past few years HPE Aruba has been understand the value of the value bit. along with Cisco, according to Gartner, What would be your first act if leading the way in wired and wireless you were made Prime Minister? LAN access infrastructure. Cancel Brexit. Or at least call another What is your guiltiest pleasure? referendum so people can cast their vote A daily Fererro Rocher. based on an understanding of what the What is the most irritating tech terms actually mean. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital What’s the biggest untapped transformation’. opportunity facing the channel? What would be your first act if I should probably say blockchain or you were made Prime Minister? something like that but actually, I think To hold another Brexit referendum. it’s people and specifically women. It’s What’s the biggest untapped not unique to IT but I think businesses opportunity facing the channel? FIONA GRAHAM in general need to rethink working Helping to reduce IT operation Group marketing director, Exertis practices and take a more agile approach complexity. Gartner predicted that Tell us something most people to the way we work and where we work, infrastructure operations skills gaps will won’t know about you I can to enable women to balance a desire to mean 75 per cent of organisations will plumb in a bathroom or fit a kitchen. return to work in a flexible capacity and experience visible business disruptions You can contact me directly if you would for that to be OK. Part-time is spoken of by 2020. In order to combat this, like a quote. like a disability. organisations will need to transform What has been your highlight of What is your most treasured roles and technology to promote 2018 so far? Our Plug In To Exertis possession? Sadly, predictable but versatility in IT operations’ teams. We event: 1,100 overall attendees, 690 I have the most beautiful pair of blue believe the right technology can make a resellers and 116 vendors attending. A velvet vintage YSL shoes. I would go to difference and see opportunity in helping great channel initiative. bed in them if I could. organisations to make complex, simple. Who would play you in the film What do your family think you What is your most treasured of your life? Ingrid Bergman: an icon do all day? I don’t know so I asked possession? As I can’t count my from that golden era of Hollywood. I my nephews – they said they weren’t family members as possessions, it would grew up watching her films and was sure but they thought I was something have to be my black Labrador, Peggy. always mesmerised by her. important, and that I worked hard but What do your family think you do Which tech firm (other than your they worried I didn’t get paid enough all day? They think I have a great life – own!) do you most admire? It like most women – they are probably going to meetings, chatting and drinking might be controversial, but I admire right on two out of the three! coffee, along with exciting business trips! Amazon. It really feels like we are in the Who has been your mentor in Who has been your mentor in age of Amazon. It has grown super big, business? Nigel Judd has probably business? I haven’t had a mentor as super-fast. The innovation in its business been one of the most impactful mentors. such, but I certainly admire and have model and how it evolves is something I worked for him at the start of my learnt a great deal from attending to be admired, and maybe feared a little career in IT and learnt so much in those meetings and events involving Meg bit as there is no safe ground in its bid early years, and he continues to support Whitman. for world domination! It seems to be at me to this day through his good counsel.

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GUILTY PLEASURES, OR JUST PLEASURES?

A wide variety (52, no less) of guilty pleasures crept onto the list, but our A-Listers being who they are, food and 11% drink led the way. can’t get enough chocolate or sweets 11% 6% enjoy a glass of enjoy bingeing wine… or two on box sets

6% Best of the rest indulge in Crisps, Golf, Love Island, Gaming, ABBA, Handbags, love cruising in their car ice cream Kylie, Lego Technics, Man Utd 5% or on their motorbike

What has been your highlight of What would be your first act if 2018 so far? Escaping the Scottish you were made Prime Minister? climate to open our office in Malaga. More effective use of government- Who would play you in the film of funded nursery and childcare services. your life? Melissa McCarthy. Currently, all three- to four-year-olds are Which tech firm (other than entitled to free childcare, irrespective of your own!) do you most admire? the parents’ employment. I believe this Google – I’m always excited to follow free childcare should only be available its journey, and continued technology to parents in employment. This would innovation. We are also very similar ensure parents are encouraged and culturally (albeit, with Pursuit on a supported to continue employment by much smaller scale!) securing childcare with their preferred, What is your guiltiest pleasure? local provider, and not be in a position Peter Andre – need I say more? where the cost of childcare impacts their What is the most irritating tech net earnings and financial wellbeing. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Chatbots’ What’s the biggest untapped – this continues to be introduced as opportunity facing the channel? LORRAINE GRAY ‘new technology’; however Microsoft’s VR/AR technology. When I attended the Director, Pursuit Marketing animated paperclip helper was Microsoft World Partner Conference Tell us something most people introduced in 1999. While the latest in 2016, the thought leadership around won’t know about you I acquired developments are more intuitive and HoloLens was one of my key takeaways, Jon Bon Jovi’s left shoe, when it fell in to impressive, I’d be disappointed if the and I expected there to be more the crowd during an acoustic set at his technology hadn’t progressed in the last developments with this technology. concert in Glasgow in 1996. 20 years. There is an opportunity for the channel

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to productise VR/AR technology for Who would play you in the film of a diverse range of sectors including your life? Morgan Freeman or possibly education, manufacturing and retail. Idris Elba – obvs! What is your most treasured Which tech firm (other than possession? My rings – on the left your own!) do you most admire? hand they symbolise my marriage and Dell EMC. Personal knowledge and family, and on the right hand I have experience of their journey gives one a ring that belonged to my sister who a unique insight. I am sure if I knew passed away suddenly in 2016. others as well the decision would be What do your family think you do harder. all day? “Something with computers,” What is your guiltiest pleasure? and managing a fast-growing team. It’s guilty and staying in my head. Who has been your mentor in What is the most irritating tech business? I have had the privilege buzzphrase of 2018? Everything ‘aaS’. of working with many successful What would be your first act if business leaders and it would be hard you were made Prime Minister? to pinpoint one individual who has Move in to No 10! Seriously, I’d focus on mentored me. However, I believe my STEM education – eliminate university work ethic has been fundamental to fees, elevate the status of the profession my career development, and this was and remove the administrative derived from my dad. My dad (now burden on teachers. Then I’d get after retired) has always reinforced the homelessness and women’s equality. Who would play you in the film of importance of being punctual, reliable What’s the biggest untapped your life? Warwick Davies and Danny and committed… and working hard to opportunity facing the channel? DeVito can argue over it. achieve what you want in life. I hope I Tomorrow. Which tech firm (other than can pass these attributes on to my son. What is your most treasured your own!) do you most admire? possession? My health. One doesn’t ARM. My first proper experience of own families, but they’re treasured computing was the BBC Micro, and my above all. first step towards a technology career What do your family think you do was networking Acorn machines. How all day? Talk and boss people around. they grew from that to the designer of Who has been your mentor in most of the chips on the planet is a real business? I have stolen remorselessly fairy tale. from a host of managers, customers What is your guiltiest pleasure? and stakeholders and so I have a virtual A season ticket at Southampton FC. mentor who is a conglomerate, an What is the most irritating tech avatar… of all those influencers who act buzzphrase of 2018? There are so as my collective conscience. many to choose from, but the next person to ask me what opportunities I see in ‘the blockchain’ might hear a rude TIM GRIFFIN RUFUS GRIG word or two. Managing director, DCC Chief technology & strategy What would be your first act if Technology & Group MD, Exertis officer, Maintel you were made Prime Minister? Tell us something most people Tell us something most people Find a way to stop the madness that is won’t know about you I was won’t know about you In real life, Brexit. vanished on stage in Vegas by David I’m a musician. I got into technology as What’s the biggest untapped Copperfield – I can’t say anymore! a struggling muso in the early 1990s to opportunity facing the channel? #MagicCircle pay the bills. I’m just sticking at it until I Well I don’t think it’s blockchain, that’s What has been your highlight of get my big break. for sure! I think there’s huge opportunity 2018 so far? Of course, joining DCC What has been your highlight of in providing deep integration services. but I rather enjoyed seeing my boy play 2018 so far? A surprisingly enjoyable The increasing richness of APIs vendors international rugby for Wales U18 too. FIFA World Cup. are offering across the technology world

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provide scope for integration services Who would play you in the film that both differentiate the service of your life? I’d like to say a Daniel provider and add increasing value to the Craig, Bruce Willis or Jason Statham end user. but realistically it would be more like What is your most treasured Victor Meldrew (yes I’m showing my possession? I don’t think I’m age referencing a 90s sitcom). Among particularly materialistic (who friends I’m known as a bit of a moaner. does?) but it will be one or all of my Which tech firm (other than your instruments. Probably my cello. own!) do you most admire? It’s hard What do your family think you not to admire what Softcat has achieved do all day? “Swanning around in posh and perhaps most importantly doing so hotels, eating out and travelling by staying true to its core values. to nice places while I’m stuck here What is your guiltiest pleasure? taking the #$@&%*! kids to football” Online shopping – I’ll soon be in need sounds familiar. of counselling. Who has been your mentor in What is the most irritating tech business? I’ve had a few, but I think the buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital detox’. most valuable lessons I’ve learned have What would be your first act if come from leading some fantastic teams. you were made Prime Minister? To do something revolutionary, like answering a straight question with a What has been your highlight straight answer. of 2018 so far? The e92plus SKO in What’s the biggest untapped Berlin was a fantastic start to the year. opportunity facing the channel? Who would play you in the film I’m a huge believer that we’re still only of your life? Daniel Craig for the scratching the surface of the ‘as-a- action scenes, Sanjeev Bhaskar for Service’ model. I don’t have a crystal the comedy. ball but over the coming years I can Which tech firm (other than foresee that model beginning to your own!) do you most admire? dominate the channel. Amazon, for becoming a $1bn company What is your most treasured by being hugely disruptive but often possession? My family. underestimated. What do your family think you do What is your guiltiest pleasure? all day? Act busy. The latest shiny gadget. Who has been your mentor in What is the most irritating tech business? Over the past 20+ years buzzphrase of 2018? ‘The cloud’. in the channel I’ve been very fortunate What would be your first act if to work with some incredible people. you were made Prime Minister? If I had to name two, in the early years Cancel Brexit. AIDAN GROOM of being an account director at ISC What’s the biggest untapped Managing director, Total Networks (now part of CDW) it would opportunity facing the Computers be James Miller; in more recent years channel? I’m working on it, but Tell us something most people here at Total it would be my head of I’m not sharing it. won’t know about you I have four finance Jeremy Attwood. What is your most treasured daughters. possession? My jewel-encrusted What has been your highlight of Rolex Submariner, which I’ve lost… 2018 so far? I’m a huge sports fan MUKESH GUPTA What do your family think you so witnessing England reach another CEO, e92plus do all day? Meetings, talking and World Cup semi-final after 28 years Tell us something most people having lunch… and going on jollies. was right up there. Also, the summer in won’t know about you I once Who has been your mentor in general – there was an unbelievable feel caused a two-mile tailback after running business? I’ve learnt from everyone good factor. out of petrol. worked with.

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H sometimes accompanied with a tinge fuels the desire to learn, improve and of regret. deliver not just for me, but everyone I What is the most irritating tech have a responsibility for. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘AI’. It can be irritating beyond comprehension when it gets tacked on to anything to imply vast superiority. All without any explanation of what and why. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? I’m a pretty tolerant type, but the one thing that affects us all and gets my goat big time is littering and fly-tipping. Form the National Litter Squad, flog all offenders, compulsory custody and 21st Century stocks. There’s simply no need to despoil our precious world. What’s the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel? The realisation that sales is not CLIVE HAILSTONE everything. Customer delight is. Managing director, Comstor UK&I There are enormous opportunities Tell us something most people within the installed base to widen and won’t know about you The deepen technology usage that adds HELEN HALL showman in me once took the spotlight real-value and strength to a customer Executive chairman, AVR in the multi-Oscar winning Chariots relationship. Customer success is key International of Fire. Others may choose to remember to become a trusted adviser (there’s Tell us something most people that I was simply one among scores or another irritating phrase!). won’t know about you I’m quite an extras. I wonder if David (Puttnam) What is your most treasured introvert at heart. recalls… possession? My 1978 Triumph What has been your highlight What has been your highlight Spitfire. A true classic that reminds of 2018 so far? My daughter’s first of 2018 so far? It must be acquiring you of what motoring pleasure was birthday in April. a weekend bolt-hole in need on like in a pre-sanitised age. We’ve been Which tech firm (other than your renovation in the much-underrated together through thick and thin since own!) do you most admire? Tesla. Weymouth. A perfect way to detach 1989 – ‘til death us do part. Worryingly It’s changing the way we drive, enter yourself from the stresses and strains of it’s probably in better shape than me space and much more. Elon’s sheer the week. mechanically. determination and his ability to make Who would play you in the film What do your family think you the impossible possible is awe inspiring. of your life? I always thought Hugh do all day? The kids used to be of the What is your guiltiest pleasure? A Jackman would make a great Clive. mindset that I spent the day rooting jar of Nutella. However, there’s a picture of me in the around for unwanted food and cakes. What would be your first act if late 1970s where I bear an uncanny Guess I used to recap the day’s results you were made Prime Minister? resemblance to Napoleon Dynamite. when I got in. I’d like to think they Build social housing for all our homeless. Which tech firm (other than realise I inspire, coach and mentor – What’s the biggest untapped your own!) do you most giving context to cakes in the workplace! opportunity facing the channel? admire? Cisco. An unwavering Who has been your mentor in Sorry, if I knew that we’d be making the commitment to the channel and business? I’ve had many people I most of it already. pioneers in technical innovation to admire for many reasons in my career to What is your most treasured make the world a better place. date. At the heart of everything though possession? My mother’s bracelet. What is your guiltiest pleasure? is my inspirational wife and family. What do your family think you do Guilt is not something I do. I’m very Realising what’s important to us all, in all day? Play with my daughter Isabella, happy with pure indulgence, albeit all our offices, is very grounding and read books and do embroidery.

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Who has been your mentor in (just ahead of HP Inc), as you have to business? Ian Vickerage, founder of admire such a ballsy strategy over the Imago Group. I had the great fortune last few years – the right one in my of meeting him in 2004 and we had 10 opinion – and one that is delivering as happy years working together. well as leading the sector. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Sadly I seem to have become a NZ Sauvignon Blancaholic, as you cannot beat a nice chilled glass after a long day at work or play. Funnily, the fridge and wine rack are full of other alcoholic temptations, which are totally ignored, but a good bottle of Sav Blanc will soon be rapidly finished off. Which probably means a party at mine to clear space in SIMON HARBRIDGE the fridge. CEO, Stone Group What is the most irritating tech Tell us something most people buzzphrase of 2018? I am getting won’t know about you When too old to care, to be honest. it comes to preparing for important What would be your first act if presentations or meetings you will you were made Prime Minister? often find me pulling together my I would allow university graduates to presentation with just hours to spare – offset and pay off their course fee debt usually very early in the morning. The against future income tax owed in the mixture of adrenaline and sense of time years following graduation. pressure seems to fuel my best effort – What’s the biggest untapped and often it wouldn’t turn out as well opportunity facing the channel? any other way. Extra quality from the Learning how to create and sell last-minute spontaneity! around real business outcomes driven What has been your highlight by technology. of 2018 so far? Perhaps the week- What is your most treasured long rescue efforts for the Thai boys HOWARD HALL possession? I am not one for material trapped in the cave with their football Group managing director, DTP things, to be honest, but it is nice to coach, particularly with the timing of Group keep a relatively full head of hair in a other disasters and so much division Tell us something most people very fast-moving and stressful industry. around the world in the news, although won’t know about you I am a pretty Long may that last – the hair and the it wasn’t without its own unfortunate good sports masseuse, specialising in fast-moving industry. cost. A valuable reminder of what can be shoulders and backs, and also not a bad What do your family think you achieved against mammoth odds when reflexologist as well. do all day? Not sure about all day, we work together with a shared vision. What has been your highlight of but the international business trips to Who would play you in the film 2018 so far? Delivering 29% per cent establish our subsidiaries in markets of your life? Sir Patrick Stewart – growth in our FY. I’m very proud of the such as the US have been known to when interviewed by the Guardian, he team, and it just goes to show that a be called ‘holidays’, although I cannot said he would play himself in a film of solid, well-executed strategy will deliver see how a three-day trip to West his own life, so I can think of no better even in very competitive times. Coast US can be seen as anything else character reference. And, we do have Who would play you in the film of other than a business travel version of baldness and the love of a decent cup of your life? Probably some Z-list faded ‘Tough Mudder’. tea in common. celebrity, due to the unattractiveness of Who has been your mentor in Which tech firm (other than the role and the low budget that a straight business? My father, who decided he your own!) do you most admire? to YouTube film script could attract. was coming to work for me more than Microsoft – primarily for its social Which tech firm (other than your 20 years ago, and is still contributing to and corporate responsibility. I feel we own!) do you most admire? HPE DTP growth in his early 80s. share a lot of the same values and I

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think its TEALS technology, education adoption of new subscription models your own!) do you most admire? and literacy in schools programme is such as Device- and Infrastructure-as- Microsoft for the transition it has made brilliant. Also, the culture behind its a-Service. under the current leader and CEO. Satya work is admirable, such as the flexibility What is your most treasured Nadella has shown that regardless of and foresight in adapting with the needs possession? Sad to admit, but my size any organisation can re-invent itself of the market, and the diversity and Miura golf irons. for the greater good. Both for the people inclusion mindset where employees What do your family think you do within and the people and organisations are encouraged to provide their unique all day? After my youngest daughter the company serves. insights within their roles in the visited the business for a day I did hear What is your guiltiest pleasure? company. I feel this really fosters a sense her say: “Dad just walks around all day I need two. Fish (haddock) and chips of creativity and ingenuity in the work talking to everyone, he never really does from a little village (Wetwang) in they accomplish. anything!” But, in my defence I was Yorkshire, closely followed by chicken What is your guiltiest pleasure? showing her around. and spinach madras from Akbar’s in I do occasionally like a (loud!) blast of Who has been your mentor in Bradford. You have to try them! classic rock music when working on business? I couldn’t call out one What is the most irritating tech the computer in my study, much to the person, so many different people have buzzphrase of 2018? I can honestly irritation of my wife. Runrig is a regular influenced my thinking, perhaps without say I haven’t been irritated by any favourite. even realising. You can often learn this year. I only get irritated when the What is the most irritating tech something new from everyone you ‘buzzphrase’ hype doesn’t reflect the buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital detox’. meet, if you listen. business opportunity I see at that stage. The ‘digital detox’ buzzword seems to Thankfully we are enjoying digitisation/ point the finger at the technology itself. digital transformation as a consumer and It is the culture behind the tech, not the provider of business technology this year. tech itself that’s important. We should What would be your first act if be working together to innovate so that you were made Prime Minister? the possibilities enabled by technology Significantly increase the government continue to enrich and improve society. investment for industry learning and What would be your first act if skill development. you were made Prime Minister? What’s the biggest untapped Putting more funding and resources opportunity facing the channel? towards health and education is an People. People will always hold the obvious one. But the question still greatest potential and opportunity when remains, where will this funding come given the correct focus and investment. from? Ignoring the £350m per week What is your most treasured saving from Brexit(?!) we could start by possession? My dad died when I was halving the number of MPs and move JAMES HARDY young. Beyond some truly amazing outwards and downwards through each Deputy managing director, memories, he left me with some of his government department and quango CCS Media close personal possessions and a book. saving senior heads until we had the Tell us something most people These are more valuable to me than any funds. I would probably not be the most won’t know about you I don’t material possession could ever be. popular Prime Minister, but government drink caffeine. What do your family think you do would be a lot smaller. What has been your highlight of all day? No matter how many times What’s the biggest untapped 2018 so far? Our kick-off in June was I explain it, my children always ask: opportunity facing the channel? amazing. I felt like we really delivered “Dad, what do you actually do?” My wife Security, security, security. As the on our commitment to the team and lovingly enjoys telling the kids in good threat around us grows so does the raised the bar on how we focus on jest that “dad’s going on holiday again” opportunity for innovation. I’m really empowering success. whenever we run through my diary. interested to see how it will change Who would play you in the film Who has been your mentor in the way companies manage their IT. I of your life? I’d like it to be Steve business? I’m really lucky to have had believe the refresh will become more McQueen, although it would most likely amazing mentorship (not always formal) important as outdated systems pose be someone less cool. from both past and present employers, high risks, and we will start to see the Which tech firm (other than peers, employees, suppliers, partners,

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customers and even competitors. I’m Which tech firm (other than your benefit from mentors throughout every very much a learn-it-all and these people own!) do you most admire? I’ve stage of my career, including the present. have put up with my endless questions, always admired GE because its inventions I believe it’s critical to have more made time to bounce ideas around with have continuously improved the well- than one mentor – not just from the me, and imparted great wisdom that I being of people everywhere. That should business world, but family and friends, cherish and put into action. be the goal of all technology firms. too. It really helps to continuously What is your guiltiest pleasure? improve your career and professional Watching golf tournaments – development. It’s also key to be a mentor particularly when Tiger Woods is for others. Sometimes you learn just as playing well. much, or more, mentoring others. What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital detox’. Abstaining from technology isn’t practical or sustainable. The goal should be attaining balance, not unplugging. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? Raise the salary of teachers. According to a recent poll by the National Education Union, 80 per cent of teachers in the UK said they have considered quitting the profession in the past year. We must make teaching one of our most desirable SEETA HARIHARAN professions. It’s the only way to offer General manager & group head, equal opportunities for everyone. If you Tata Consultancy Services Digital can’t attract the best minds to teaching, Software & Solutions Group how do you strengthen a nation? JUSTIN HARLING Tell us something most people What’s the biggest untapped CEO, CAE Technology Services won’t know about you I read more opportunity facing the channel? Tell us something most people than 100 books a year. All sorts of titles, The biggest opportunity is helping won’t know about you I’ve played on technology, finance, biographies – as customers speed up their march a classical concert on the lawn of the long as it’s non-fiction. I’m motivated to delivering higher value. Across White House (trombones rule!). by the desire to continuously learn new industries, their survival depends on What has been your highlight of things. I only wish I had enough time to it. This requires channel partners to 2018 so far? There is so much more to read all the books that interest me. embrace digital transformation as a achieve in 2018 that I think the highlight What has been your highlight of business model and to learn the skills to for the year is yet to happen, although 2018 so far? After introducing the implement it. Fortunately, selling digital maybe it will have done by the time the concept of channel relationships to transformation solutions hastens the A-List is published. TCS, which was well known as a global cultural transformation required for Who would play you in the film of IT services player but not a software partners to get there. your life? According to one of those company, this year we’ve doubled down What is your most treasured ultra reliable online quiz sites, it would on our channel efforts, building out our possession? Empathy, because it be Joseph Gordon-Levitt, so who I am organisation and structuring channel guides me as I make decisions and deal to argue. programmes. Our channel playbook with people. You don’t need to have Which tech firm (other than your has even attracted the attention of other the same experiences as others, just own!) do you most admire? We TCS units, which are using it to design be able to imagine yourself walking in were fortunate enough during the year their own channel programmes. their shoes. to support an Oxford Foundry project Who would play you in the film What do your family think you called Metronome Technologies. It is of your life? I would like to play do all day? We’re a tightly knit family. impossible not to admire a team with an myself. Leadership doesn’t come with a They know exactly what I do. idea who are willing to put everything playbook. To act like a leader you have Who has been your mentor in on the line as a startup to make to write your own script. business? I’ve been fortunate to something happen.

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What is your guiltiest pleasure? A number of people in CAE know that I really enjoyed watching Love Island – genius television. What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018? I think I could write of a book of these but if you want my opinion on something just ask because no I do not want to ‘chime in’, unless my contribution is something along the lines of a tuneful bing bong sound. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? I would set out a plan to abolish the House of Lords and replace it with an institution that is representative of the people and actually adds value to GARY HAYCOCK-WEST our democratic process. (A little more CEO, Blue Cube Security selfishly I would enshrine Entrepreneur Tell us something most people Relief for current and future generations won’t know about you I used to be of entrepreneurs). your own!) do you most admire? a male model… What’s the biggest untapped Uber – it’s all about the software What has been your highlight of opportunity facing the channel? and execution… oh, and customer 2018 so far? Phenomenal growth and Whatever is coming next that we haven’t experience! new revenue streams. been able to predict yet. It will then be What is your guiltiest pleasure? Who would play you in the film of a case of how quickly the channel is to Clubbing. I love trance music and your life? Ray Winstone. adapt to change (again). Ibiza nightlife. Which tech firm (other than What is your most treasured What is the most irritating tech your own!) do you most admire? possession? Time – I hope to get buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Cloud cliff’. I admire Amazon, but in particular better at how I use it. What would be your first act if AWS (Amazon Web Services) due to What do your family think you do you were made Prime Minister? its forward thinking. It is one of the few all day? My youngest daughter would Make Cardiff capital of the UK. tech companies that has demonstrated tell you that I spend all day playing on What’s the biggest untapped an ability to create profitable new my iPad. opportunity facing the channel? business streams that are completely Who has been your mentor in I’m not sure as if I knew, I wouldn’t different from its core business and business? I’ve never had a mentor but tell you, I’d be executing it. The cloud always putting its people first. have been happy to learn something particularly 365/Azure as I do think a What is your guiltiest pleasure? new from anyone and everyone. lot more amalgamations will be needed Pie and mash (East End style). for companies to survive as adoption of What is the most irritating tech this happens more and more as tin sales buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Compliance’ – ROGER HARRY dry up. The untapped bit is more about for instance GDPR. CEO, Circle IT providing business value as opposed to What would be your first act if Tell us something most people selling tin/solutions so I guess we will you were made Prime Minister? won’t know about you I’d be 6’2” if all need more business analysis skills to A flat rate tax for all. my legs were straight. move in this space. What’s the biggest untapped What has been your highlight of What is your most treasured opportunity facing the channel? 2018 so far? Finishing the Ironman possession? My watch for my Not telling… Wales Course. Strava times. What is your most treasured Who would play you in the film of What do your family think you do possession? My memories. your life? Danny DeVito. all day? Some work but mainly go out What do your family think you do Which tech firm (other than socialising. all day? Sit on my arse all day.

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Who has been your mentor in rock on my desk at home. My six-year- business? As an entrepreneur, I would old found it on our driveway recently, say I have had many mentors through wrapped it and gave it to me; it’s my my years of setting up and growing my most treasured possession. My suspicion businesses but ultimately, I have grown is that it is unlikely moon rock – I think through hard work and learning the it is actually fossilised dinosaur poo. hard way. Don’t tell him though. What do your family think you do all day? I put the holes in Polo mints – it’s an incredibly important job that pays for the private schools, cars, toys, clothes and anything else my family can think of to haemorrhage cash. Who has been your mentor in business? I have been very lucky in that I have had numerous LEE HEMANI knowledgeable and experienced people Managing director, XMA in my working (and domestic) life. But Tell us something most people if I had to pick one, it’s going to be won’t know about you I won the bleeding obvious: my old man… 2016 British Taekwondo championship JOE HEMANI (MWTA) “Coloured belt, 75kg section”. Chairman, Westcoast What has been your highlight of Tell us something most people 2018 so far? Jose Mourinho’s flawless won’t know about you I’m display of man management style and transparent – I have nothing to hide. tactics at Man United. I would give him What has been your highlight of a three-year contract extension. 2018 so far? Survival. Who would play you in the film of Who would play you in the film your life? Will Ferrell. of your life? My life is not important Which tech firm (other than your enough. own!) do you most admire? My Which tech firm (other than your tech business competitors. It is they own!) do you most admire? UK who keep XMA relevant; you need your startups – I admire the entrepreneurial counterparts to provide your platform spirit. for commercial ambition. JOEY HEMINGBROUGH What is your guiltiest pleasure? What is your guiltiest pleasure? Sales & marketing director, SICL Watching Boris Johnson crumble. Alcohol, principally the four main Tell us something most people What is the most irritating groups: beer, wine, gin and brandy. won’t know about you I used to tech buzzphrase of 2018? All What is the most irritating tech play basketball for England as a teenager. buzzphrases. buzzphrase of 2018? I’m a plain What has been your highlight of What would be your first act if speaker and not a fan of buzzwords. 2018 so far? Professionally, coming to you were made Prime Minister? ‘Dog food’, ‘sunset’ and ‘bleeding edge’ work for SICL. Personally, teaching my Rejoin the EU. all work to piss me off. daughter to ride her bike. What’s the biggest untapped What would be your first act if Who would play you in the film of opportunity facing the channel? you were made Prime Minister? your life? Drew Barrymore. Cloud. Remove all benefits from the bone idle. Which tech firm (other than your What is your most treasured What’s the biggest untapped own!) do you most admire? There possession? I’m not materialistic. opportunity facing the channel? are too many to list, but I admire all the What do your family think you do Your employee base; it is teeming with small tech firms who are working hard all day? Work hard. untapped opportunity. to make a difference. Who has been your mentor in What is your most treasured What is your guiltiest pleasure? business? My dad. possession? I’ve got a large moon Pork scratchings.

36 ChannelWeb.co.uk A-LIST 2019

What is the most irritating tech growth targets. We set ambitions targets buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Let’s punch a at the start of the year, so to be ahead of puppy’ – it just sounds horrible. them is fantastic. What would be your first act if Who would play you in the film of you were made Prime Minister? your life? Robert De Niro. Better funding for education and the Which tech firm (other than your NHS. own!) do you most admire? It’s What’s the biggest untapped difficult not to think of Amazon, despite opportunity facing the channel? it being a predictable answer. What it AI and VR. has achieved in terms of growth and What is your most treasured market penetration is nothing short possession? It’s not technically a of phenomenal. To me, exceptional possession but my family are the most customer service is what it’s all about, treasured thing in my life. and Amazon continues to raise the bar What do your family think you do on this, among everything else. all day? Have meetings. What is your guiltiest pleasure? SIMONE HINDMARCH Who has been your mentor Cher. Managing director, Commercial in business? My first manager in What is the most irritating tech Group the industry, Terry Hook, set me on buzzphrase of 2018? Every new Tell us something most people the right path and helped me build vendor saying they have ‘disruptive won’t know about you I was bright the foundation I now use every day. technology’ and that it’s a ‘game changer’. ginger in my teens and I am blind in one Following on from that, I have been What would be your first act if eye – it helped to build character! fortunate enough to receive support you were made Prime Minister? What has been your highlight of and guidance from Chris Calvert, Steve I’d focus on improving the health 2018 so far? Winning the Queens Potts, Phylip Morgan, Paul Rambridge and wellbeing of people, and the Award. Walking arm-in-arm with my and Wayne Cockerill. environment. I’d also look to improve brother up the steps of Buckingham the standard of education and make Palace – it was surreal for both of us. it more accessible and affordable for Who would play you in the film all. When that’s done, I get the door of of your life? Julia Roberts – she is a number 10 painted orange. I like orange. fighter and adorable in equal measure. What’s the biggest untapped Which tech firm (other than opportunity facing the channel? your own!) do you most admire? Public cloud and Infrastructure-as- Tesla – it has simply changed the a-Service still have a way to go for motor industry forever and is leading the opportunity potential to be fully the world in thought leadership about realised. sustainability. I defy anyone not to What is your most treasured scream in Ludicrous Mode. possession? I have many. Photos of What is your guiltiest pleasure? my late parents enjoying life. Photos of Wine. Followed by over-enthusiastic my kids in their very early years, and dancing. Which is not good when you my wedding ring. And besides these all are built like a giraffe. very emotional possessions, if you were What is the most irritating tech CARL HENRIKSEN to ask my wife and kids, they would buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Yoyo mode’ CEO, OryxAlign probably say my phone. – I heard this a month ago. I think the Tell us something most people What do your family think you phrase is hilarious but hate it when it won’t know about you I’m originally do all day? Work with computers and happens. from Namibia and I came to the UK look after lots of people. What would be your first act if to further my squash career having Who has been your mentor in you were made Prime Minister? qualified to play in the British Open. business? Godfrey McFall, my non- I would make everyone watch https:// What has been your highlight exec director. Words can’t describe what vimeo.com/157242002. Then I would of 2018 so far? Seeing OryxAlign an inspiration he is and how much he ban all single-use plastics unless consistently over achieve on its monthly has helped me succeed with OryxAlign. companies can prove they cannot

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operate without it. Missions like this too many lives are lost or potential not unite workforces, communities and met because we fail to place importance countries and they stimulate innovation on self-care. for the right reasons. What’s the biggest untapped What’s the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel? opportunity facing the channel? Education. The now almost continual To help companies to make better need to educate our customers on all buying decisions when it comes to their aspects of technology and the plethora IT. Not enough thought is given to the of mediums available to do so is a huge environmental damage that the cloud opportunity for us all. pumps into our atmosphere. I’d love to What is your most treasured see companies be more clever about this. possession? As sad as this sounds, my What is your most treasured Surface Pro. It is literally my life. Closely possession? My apartment in Ibiza followed by my climbing rope and ice – I always dreamed of sitting on my axes (which keep me alive and able to balcony overlooking the sea. When use my Surface Pro). I bought it, before it was furnished I What do your family think you do found a cushion on the beach. Every all day? In the words of my son: “Does morning I would make a cup of tea and emails, phone calls and fixes computers.” cry tears of joy at my good fortune. Who would play you in the Not bad. What do your family think you film of your life? Harrison Ford Who has been your mentor in do all day? When my daughter was – with his proven track record of business? I am fortunate enough to five she asked me what The Boss did. I playing characters with bundles of have had several amazing mentors over said, “It’s like being the lead singer of the determination and generally a successful my time in business and that is part of band!” She said, “Mummy you need to resolution. why I love this job so much – you get practise singing more!” Which tech firm (other than to work with some amazing people. Who has been your mentor in your own!) do you most admire? Perhaps most notably our founder and business? My dad. He was an amazing As obvious as it sounds it has to be chairman Warren Davies has helped entrepreneur with a moral compass to Microsoft. It has really transformed its show me what it takes to lead a great match. Sadly he passed away five years business over the past few years and business. Putting the world to rights ago. However, I have a painting of him Satya Nadella has breathed fresh life while walking the dog with my wife and every morning I have a quick chat into the company. The cultural shift Emma has also got me over some about my intentions for the day. I aim to he has implemented and overseen has massive hurdles over the years too. make him proud and that keeps me on allowed it to push on and innovate some the right track. amazing technology. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Consuming a multi-pack of Discos when GUY HOCKING I’m having a bad day. Group managing director, What is the most irritating tech Utilize & Ignite Business buzzphrase of 2018? Although Communications guilty of using this catch-all bucket Tell us something most people phrase myself, I have to say ‘digital won’t know about you I can play transformation’. Do a Google search the trombone. for ‘digital transformation’ and you’ll What has been your highlight of get more than 11.5 million results 2018 so far? What a year! A particular covering pretty much any investment in highlight for me was raising more than technology ever made, ever. £15,000 for a local hospice with a team What would be your first act if JASON HOLLOWAY of 16 from our group companies by you were made Prime Minister? Founder & managing director, climbing the three highest mountains in To create an agency or drop-in clinic Bridgeway Security Solutions the UK within 24 hours. You can achieve with quick, simple access to meet Tell us something most people great things when you pull together. mental health needs. Life is stressful and won’t know about you I’m a pilot in

38 ChannelWeb.co.uk A-LIST 2019

my spare time. I’ve always loved flying possession? My car. I’ve been driving mobile data solutions you can’t buy from from an early age after being fascinated a Tesla Model S since February and it’s anyone else and are supplying thousands by birds as a child. Growing up, I so efficient and fun I could rave about of data SIMs in a variety of devices, all wanted to join the Fleet Air Arm and it all day. over the world. become a Sea Harrier pilot, but I was What do your family think you do Who would play you in the film of unfortunately already too tall. However, all day? My mum probably thinks I run your life? Emma Watson, best known 12 years ago I rekindled this passion Microsoft. My three teenage children as Hermione Grainger in the Harry and studied for a power pilot’s licence just think it’s boring stuff. In the early Potter films. She split her time between and then became a glider pilot too. The days my wife used to work with me, so acting and getting an education, so freedom of the sky, combined with the she appreciates the busy workload better would know how to balance the sales tricky negotiation of evolving weather than most – which is handy! call with the school run and board conditions, is exhilarating. Who has been your mentor in preparation with bath time. What has been your highlight business? I couldn’t single out one Which tech firm (other than of 2018 so far? We’ve just closed person. I’ve been blessed to work with your own!) do you most admire? a terrific Q3 with stellar growth myriad different personality types and Amazon. It offers a wide range of over previous years. In addition, my colleagues and managers have had a services and has a good pricing strategy. we’ve recently expanded the team great mix of skills and experiences that It diversified into streaming and I have to help create and cover additional have helped shape my career. never needed to contact it with an issue. opportunities, which places us in great What is your guiltiest pleasure? stead to continue this growth well into Strictly Come Dancing. 2019 and beyond. What is the most irritating tech Who would play you in the film buzzphrase of 2018? I don’t mind of your life? I put this to my team and the tech phrases, but I am glad we are all they came up with everyone from Tom using the term ‘GDPR’ less. Hanks to John Cleese and Richard E What would be your first act if Grant – but hopefully not as Withnail! you were made Prime Minister? I Which tech firm (other than your wouldn’t like to be Prime Minister. own!) do you most admire? It has What’s the biggest untapped to be Apple because of its dedication opportunity facing the channel? to integrating complex hardware and 4G. Speeds have increased, it is widely software to create a simplified user available and pricing has dropped, which experience. is fuelling demand. The cost of overages What is your guiltiest pleasure? has been a stumbling block, but it is now My rather eclectic music collection. possible to monitor usage in real-time What is the most irritating tech and avoid overages completely. I suspect buzzphrase of 2018? ‘GDPR’. A lot of 5G will accelerate demand further. vendors like to use GDPR as a tenuous What is your most treasured link to sell their products. You see it CHERIE HOWLETT possession? My family. time and time again where vendors try Marketing director, Jola What do your family think you to impose their solutions to businesses Tell us something most people do all day? Send emails and attend who do not require it. won’t know about you I auditioned meetings. As a busy working mum, I What would be your first act if for the Royal Ballet School and trained often work from home using our own you were made Prime Minister? at the Market Drayton School of Dance. technology and it can seem like that I would restrict party funding and As a mum, I have been involved with some days. lobbyist influence. It’s wrong that BabyBallet and First Stage, helping the Who has been your mentor in the pharmaceutical, tobacco and oil under-fives. business? I have been lucky enough to industries, for example, can exert such a What has been your highlight of work with some inspirational mentors huge influence over our political system. 2018 so far? My brother’s wedding in and entrepreneurs in the channel. The What’s the biggest untapped the Australian Gold Coast was fantastic. most important lessons they taught me opportunity facing the channel? Professionally the growing popularity were to always check the facts, listen Listening to the customer. of Mobile Manager with MSPs has more than you speak, go with your What is your most treasured been a highlight. We have some unique instincts and be true to yourself.

ChannelWeb.co.uk 39 A-LIST 2019

MAKING A DIFFERENCE AS PRIME MINISTER Perhaps unsurprisingly, tackling Brexit would be the priority of 31 A-Listers should they be made PM, whether it be planning a second referendum, taking charge of negotiations or just calling the whole thing off. Also popular is a desire to invest in public services, with the NHS and education featuring prominently among 13 respondents. In third place, four A-Listers don’t fancy it and would immediately resign!

Best of the rest 23% Promote entrepreneurship, Tackle homelessness, Tax corporations fairly, Abolish uni fees, Ban reality would nail TV, Bring back national service, Ban Fortnite, Form a Brexit National Litter Squad, Ban TCP, Order a stiff drink

that we just had. I was lucky enough As for GDPR, let’s not get started! to enjoy a holiday in Lyme Regis with What would be your first act if family, swimming in the sea every day, you were made Prime Minister? enjoying food and drink in the garden Oh, I would be busy! A U-turn on every night. It’s the simple things! Brexit, followed by a revamp of the UK Who would play you in the film of and EU tax systems ensuring that digital your life? I’m all about the underdog, businesses like Apple and Amazon pay so it would have to be an unknown actor their fair share of tax. To top my day looking for a break! off I would introduce steps to reduce Which tech firm (other than in-work poverty and food deprivation your own!) do you most admire? to those who need support the most. If I Technically a bank, but Monzo is by far could get that done before getting kicked my most admired company. It leads the out I’d be a happy man! way on company culture, has changed What’s the biggest untapped the way we expect a bank to talk to its opportunity facing the channel? customers (awesome tone of voice) and Being niche. The best companies out CRAIG HUME is simply one of the coolest brands on there know what they are best at and Managing director, Utopia the planet. I love them! focus on that. Too many IT firms Computers What is your guiltiest pleasure? are still trying to be all things to all Tell us something most people Playing Fortnite once my kids have gone customers and it will be their downfall. won’t know about you In 2001 to bed. What is your most treasured I filmed and produced a movie with What is the most irritating tech possession? My most prized item a mate that got accepted to the New buzzphrase of 2018? Oh that’s a would have to be my Tag Heuer Monaco York Film Festival and I even had the toughy. It’s a close call between ‘GDPR’ watch. My wife, Kaz, bought it for me. pleasure of watching it in a real cinema and ‘cloud’. I think cloud has to win it I’m a huge Steve McQueen fan, as well in New York. as many companies are using it to add as always having a love of watches, so What has been your highlight of a sprinkling of magic dust to existing this piece brings a smile to my face every 2018 so far? The amazing summer products, without any real innovation. time I wear it.

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What do your family think you market share but have stayed true to do all day? Quote from Liam, aged their offerings while maintaining a good 7: “People come with computers and culture that breeds positivity. problems. You fix them and make What is your guiltiest pleasure? them happy.” Those that know me know my passion Who has been your mentor in is fitness. My guilty pleasure though is business? I am lucky enough to have finding time to actually switch off with a couple of awesome mentors in my a large tub of Salted Caramel ice cream life, but the standout man has to be watching films with my daughters and Phylip Morgan of Network Group. He my partner. has helped me see not only my true What is the most irritating tech potential, but the potential of those buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Dark data’. I’m around me, all the while keeping me still trying to figure this one out. focused on putting my family first. What would be your first act if Phly is in my mind a true gent and you were made Prime Minister? entrepreneur of the highest standard. That’s a bit of a scary question; however, if I ever was made Prime Minister the first act would be to review the policies DONAVAN HUCHISON surrounding Brexit. Managing director UK & What is your most treasured International, PCM Technology possession? I am far from Solutions UK materialistic and in many ways humble. Tell us something most people My most treasured possession as you won’t know about you I am a call it would have to be that of my qualified personal trainer, nutritionist daughters who I’m very proud of and and horse riding instructor. who have respected and embraced my What has been your highlight work and kept me motivated to building of 2018 so far? 2018 has been very a strong future for them. exciting for us as we continue to build Chaplin or Mr Bean. No matter what What do your family think you the UK business. With any startup the challenge, it’s always overcome by do all day? They probably think I sit there is a lot of change and embracing thinking positively and by keeping true in an office having meetings or having this has been both daunting but to yourself, and my life is similar to conference calls all day drinking copious also very exciting as we mould our that of a silent, comical yet interesting amounts of coffee. organisation to become a leader in journey or story. While life may have Who has been your mentor in digital transformation services. The UK many ups and downs, I always look on business? My mentor in business has market is ripe right now and I would say the positive side and sometimes life to be that of our own leadership teams. our biggest success is building a strong, brings comical challenges but having Jay Miley, our president for PCM and solid foundation by attracting talented a head for drive and ambition allows Frank Khulusi, our chairman, CEO and individuals throughout the market who me to continue ploughing forward no founder both have helped me to learn we are invested in for the longer term. matter how clumsy I may be at times. the dynamic of good leadership but have Our people are what has made us a Which tech firm (other than kept me constantly challenged, which success and what will continue to make your own!) do you most admire? I like. I also believe that much of the us a success going forward. I admire many tech firms in the mentoring has been down to many other Who would play you in the film of market for their successes and ability people I work with day to day, whereby your life? If anything this is a question to transform in line with market I have kept an open ear and listened asked to me many times as people often changes. However, I also respect to those with experience to help me to tell me to write a book of the life of those who stay true to themselves and define and redefine strategies to allow Don as there’s always something going who have embraced their strengths the organisation to grow. The success on that challenges me day to day, both and weaknesses, which have allowed of PCM UK is not by one individual, in work and personal life. I would say them to achieve exponential growth. it is literally a team effort and every the best characters to play me in a film Organisations like Softcat are interesting single person in the UK organisation is of my life would be probably Charlie to watch as they continue to take responsible for the success of PCM UK.

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J Managed services. While some may say it to be Apple. It keeps on innovating, its is already a mature market, I believe that price stays high despite lots of cheaper we are seeing only the tip of the iceberg. competition and it seems to remain ‘staff What is your most treasured centric’. That’s not easy to do at all. possession? I really don’t have one. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Possessions are materialistic – I live for Champagne. I love the stuff. the day with or without. What is the most irritating tech What do your family think you do buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Life/work all day? They think that when I’m not balance’. socialising at tech channel events I’m What would be your first playing on a PC all day. act if you were made Prime Who has been your mentor in Minister? Change the voting system business? Over the years I have to proportional representation, make met and worked with some incredible voting mandatory and modernise the channel people and business leaders – old-school system that keeps idiots who many were inspirational, every one of only care about themselves in power. them taught me something of value. What’s the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel? Selling more to existing customers. So much time and effort is wasted trying to DEREK JONES get new. Managing director, Synaxon UK What is your most treasured Tell us something most people possession? I don’t have one. I’m not won’t know about you I was born into jewellery and have never been in and grew up in Germany and Singapore, one place long enough to buy or own any never living in the UK until the age of 15. possession that I would treasure. I do like What has been your highlight of my car though – but that’s on a lease. 2018 so far? Seeing the full launch of What do your family think you do SynMSP, the new Synaxon membership all day? Golf, meet, drink, entertain, community for independent professional eat, meet and tell people what to do. Not MSPs. far off! Who would play you in the film of Who has been your mentor in your life? If I couldn’t play myself then business? I’ve a couple of people it would have to be the great Leonardo who have helped steer me, one French DiCaprio. GRAHAM JONES who I worked with on and off over 20 Which tech firm (other than your UK managing director, Exclusive years. Always had a nice way of showing own!) do you most admire? A bit Networks me the way, but not drawing the map. obvious I know, but for me it has always Tell us something most people An English chap who I see every four been Microsoft. It changed the world. won’t know about you I’m mildly months still, who just gives me straight What is your guiltiest pleasure? dyslexic; it’s about the only word I can talk, no axe to grind. It really helps to Keeping Japanese Koi Carp. It costs a spell! have a few people outside the day-to-day small fortune. What has been your highlight of business that you can take time to chat What is the most irritating tech 2018 so far? Reducing our staff churn problems and ideas through. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital to less than five per cent shows we’re transformation’. better at picking people and looking What would be your first act if after them – positive HR! LAWRENCE JONES you were made Prime Minister? Who would play you in the film Founder & CEO, UKFast Everything and anything I could do to of your life? Most of the names that Tell us something most people make the UK ‘the’ place in which to come to mind are dead now, worryingly. won’t know about you I was a invest and do business. John Cleese could do it. professional musician for 10 years, What’s the biggest untapped Which tech firm (other than your playing piano, composing classical music opportunity facing the channel? own!) do you most admire? It has and producing records.

42 ChannelWeb.co.uk ESSENTIAL

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managing director at UKFast and we Who would play you in the film work together to continually build and of your life? Will Smith – not because develop the business. Our children are he looks like me at all but because he already a big part of the business and has a nice balance between humour and understand what we do. seriousness (much like me). Who has been your mentor in Which tech firm (other than your business? I’ve never actually had a own!) do you most admire? It’s dedicated mentor but I have been lucky hard to put my finger on just one. I enough to take quality advice from Tony admire companies with unique IP and Robbins, Richard Branson, Noel McKee, products especially those that deal with James Timpson and a host of others. real business problems while making them commercially viable. What is your guiltiest pleasure? K A nice afternoon tea with my lovely other half. What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital’. A word What has been your highlight of that means so much, yet not one anyone 2018 so far? Almost getting Wi-Fi on can really explain. a Virgin train! What would be your first Who would play you in the film of act if you were made Prime your life? Bill Murray. Minister? Invest time and money Which tech firm (other than your into the education system to equalise own!) do you most admire? iDEA opportunities for children from all because it has broken down digital socio-economic backgrounds. education into bitesize chunks that give What’s the biggest untapped you continuous feedback to show your opportunity facing the channel? progress. It’s an initiative by the Duke With customer expectations changing of York and Kerensa Jennings, and is a all the time, partners that ‘co-create’ phenomenal inspiration. with one another will be key to the What is your guiltiest pleasure? future of the channel. That’s because a Chess – I’ve played 16,225 games in community of partners have the unique four years. RUPAL KARIA advantage of offering complete solutions What is the most irritating tech Head of UK&I – public and to customers, rather than having to buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Stack’. private sector, Fujitsu divert to in-house to fulfil every aspect What would be your first act if Tell us something most people of that solution. you were made Prime Minister? won’t know about you In my spare What is your most treasured I’d retrospectively tax AWS, Amazon, time I enjoy property development possession? My phone – I couldn’t Facebook, Google and all of the US projects. I would do more of this if time live without it as I use it for everything. corporations that have blatantly permitted. What do your family think you disregarded the needs of the citizens of What has been your highlight do all day? Talk and ‘do deals’. In the UK. They’re a drain on our economy of 2018 so far? This year, I had the fairness, much of leadership is really and sadly our government has never honour of being promoted to lead about talking. understood the damage they continue to Fujitsu’s public and private sector Who has been your mentor in cause. Then I’d resign! business. This is a role I am proud to do business? I have been fortunate to What’s the biggest untapped especially as I originally joined Fujitsu have a number of business mentors opportunity facing the channel? as a graduate. Outside of my day-to- throughout my career and have learned More ferries. day role, another highlight for me this a great deal from each of them. It would What is your most treasured year was starting a programme called be unfair of me to call out one as I possession? The gift of music. ‘mentoring circles’ – in partnership with believe a variety of mentors is needed to What do your family think you do BITC and DWP – to help unemployed make you a well-rounded and authentic all day? My wife Gail is co-founder and people back into work. business person.

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Who has been your mentor in What would be your first act if business? Myself – it’s always good to you were made Prime Minister? have self-belief and a bit of arrogance in Attempt to create consensus politics. small doses. I don’t believe that the politics of two tribe division is delivering the solutions we need for our nation today. Nor will it in the future. What’s the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel? Managing and delivering security in the hybrid world that many businesses are in today. It’s a very challenging scenario and it gives the channel the opportunity to act as trusted advisors JAMES KIGHT and really tap into that need for help CEO, Printerland and advice. Businesses that don’t, or Tell us something most people can’t, move fully to the cloud are at the won’t know about you I’m the highest security risk. Many of them have first one up for karaoke with a bit of IAN KILPATRICK the biggest internal challenges around Wonderwall by Oasis. Executive VP, cybersecurity, managing their risks and risk awareness. What has been your highlight of Nuvias What is your most treasured 2018 so far? Growing our market Tell us something most people possession? At the risk of sounding share and having another record year. won’t know about you I’m Scottish. self-indulgently sentimental, my family. Who would play you in the film of What has been your highlight of What do your family think you do your life? Kirk from Coronation Street; 2018 so far? The continued strong all day? Sit in my office and lark about. we were cut from same cloth (not that growth of Nuvias across EMEA and our Who has been your mentor in anyone would want to watch it). appointment by two global players as business? Ken Ward, our former Which tech firm (other than your their value creation distributor. UK managing director (now retired). own!) do you most admire? Apple. Who would play you in the film of We worked together for 20 years and I It has continued to grow while at the top your life? Anyone who would take the learned a huge amount from him. of its industry, just like us. job – it’s not really a mission impossible What is your guiltiest pleasure? role is it. Sailing; the only place I can switch off Which tech firm (other than and turn off my phone. your own!) do you most admire? What is the most irritating tech Hewlett and Packard: Bill Hewlett, co- buzzphrase of 2018? ‘GDPR’. The founder of HP, had a continual desire panic we all saw in the lead-up to the to inspire and deliver excellence, with deadline was insane. a belief that excellence would deliver What would be your first act if success. Alongside Dave Packard, you were made Prime Minister? he also fashioned the ‘HP Way’, as a To reduce tax on SMEs – we’re the ones structure for mutual respect, teamwork, that will drive the country forward. achievement and integrity. Those What’s the biggest untapped principles strongly motivated me. opportunity facing the channel? What is your guiltiest pleasure? Managed print – the potential is huge. Racing a car around a track. What is your most treasured What is the most irritating tech KELVIN KIRBY possession? Printerland. It’s just buzzphrase of 2018? ‘AI’. Vendors CEO, Technology Associates as exciting to be part of as it was 25 have leapt on this and are claiming that Tell us something most people years ago. their solution is operating with artificial won’t know about you I was the What do your family think you do intelligence. If only it were so. Sorting world’s youngest owner of an Electron all day? Watch Coronation Street on through the chaff for any wheat is a Microscope, when at age 17, I rescued catch-up. challenge for everyone. it from the Royal Dental Hospital in

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London. My folks were a little put out as impact in the next couple of years. for me, went back aged 13 and left at it took up a lot of room. What is your most treasured aged 15. Then I had the education of life What has been your highlight of possession? A Patek Philippe Grand and I’m still learning. 2018 so far? Expanding my public Complications Tourbillon watch. I love What has been your highlight of speaking with the opportunity to share watches and have acquired many as 2018 so far? Launching NGS (UK) some wisdom, knowledge and anecdotes investments over the years. But don’t after four years out of the security from a 40-year career in industry. I was ask me how I came by the Patek Philippe market, then realising very quickly that privileged to present the keynote speech watch – that’s another story entirely. not a lot has changed. at the Institute of Sales Management, What do your family think you do Who would play you in the film of and deliver a key presentation at the all day? My daughter thinks I’m a spy your life? Nicolas Cage, for obvious Project & Portfolio Summit in Berlin because of all the travelling I do. I made reasons to some people. in May. I love being able to energise, the mistake of using points to upgrade Which tech firm (other than engage and inspire others. flights to First Class once when I took your own!) do you most admire? Who would play you in the film her on a trip to New York. Now she Nutanix – this is the most revolutionary of your life? If I was lucky, Daniel thinks I travel First Class all the time. play in the datacentre for years. Craig; if I was unlucky, Matt Lucas. Who has been your mentor in What is your guiltiest pleasure? Which tech firm (other than business? Tony Robbins was the main Watches and cars. your own!) do you most admire? reason I started my business 28 years What is the most irritating tech I should say Microsoft, and there’s no ago. Since then I have been privileged to buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Cloud’. It is doubt that there is much to admire work with some very impressive people not the answer to everything and from about Microsoft, but the company (Richard Branson, Deepak Chopra, experience usually costs more. I most admire right now is Dell. Its Doug Richards, Verne Harnish, Romi What would be your first act if customer service is second to none. Majahan, to name only a few). But I you were made Prime Minister? Someone takes ownership of any issue have also worked with and learnt a lot Abolish stamp duty so the world can you have right from the outset and you from some of the business leaders in the start moving again. only ever deal with that same person Microsoft Channel in particular, some What’s the biggest untapped from start to finish. A few other tech of whom I worked with on the IAMCP opportunity facing the channel? If companies could learn a lot from the International Board. I told you… way Dell deals with customer service. What is your most treasured What is your guiltiest pleasure? L possession? My family and their health. The one I’m prepared to reveal here What do your family think you do is that I like watching re-runs of the all day? Not a lot. original Star Trek series. I watched Star Who has been your mentor in Trek as a kid and loved it. business? I have had a few. Katrina What is the most irritating tech Timmis introduced me to IT and set buzzphrase of 2018? ‘There’s no “I” me on my path, Eddie Weremiuk taught in “team”’, or from my US colleagues, me networking and I used to call Neil ‘drinking the Kool-Aid’. Very annoying! Ledger for the odd bit of advice too. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? Order a very stiff drink. LOAY LAWRENCE What’s the biggest untapped Director, Vohkus opportunity facing the channel? Tell us something most people I don’t think we have truly seen VDI won’t know about you I am a very make an impact yet. It has been around private person, so not sharing. for a while but I think it might really JONATHAN LASSMAN What has been your highlight of take off in 2019. The ability to dissociate Managing director, Epaton and 2018 so far? Seeing both my boys with your desktop from a specific device is NGS (UK) their Masters and both have jobs on very attractive to me. I also think IoT Tell us something most people their terms and enjoying work. will grow more dramatically in 2019. I won’t know about you I started Who would play you in the film of fully expect to see major advances in secondary school aged 11 for a couple of your life? David Bowie (I know he has Quantum computing having a huge months, realised very quickly it wasn’t passed away). As well as being a great

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have inspired me in the industry, both applications to work together in multiple UK-based and abroad. I’ve followed them cloud services. and understood what makes them tick, What is your most treasured thus guiding me without them knowing. possession? My family. What do your family think you do all day? Write emails, go out for lunch and watch Netflix. Who has been your mentor in business? Lord Sugar. He’s really straight to the point and makes quick decisions and acts on them.

singer songwriter, he was a good actor, and he embraced IT. Which tech firm (other than your own!) do you most admire? Apple for its products and ability to reshape DES LEKERMAN itself into the organisation it is today, CEO, TIG delivering both quality and excellent What has been your highlight of customer service 2018 so far? Teaching my daughter What is your guiltiest pleasure? how to drive. I’ve never had a life The look on my wife’s face after forcing threatening moment until then! her to embrace technology and showing Who would play you in the film of PAUL LLOYD her it is easy. your life? Rowan Atkinson as Johnny Director, Sellerly What is the most irritating tech English – smooth and sophisticated. Tell us something most people buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Let’s take this Which tech firm (other than your won’t know about you I keep offline’. own!) do you most admire? I bees and never miss an episode of The What would be your first act if admire Microsoft as it has re-invented Archers. you were made Prime Minister? itself as a cloud-first business. The CEO What has been your highlight of Besides the obvious sorting the EU mess, Satya Nadella is very inspirational. I’ve 2018 so far? Becoming a Grandpa. invest in education and placement of the read his book Hit Refresh, which is an Who would play you in the film of vast talent that is available in the UK. amazing journey both personally and at your life? Baloo. What’s the biggest untapped Microsoft, hugely inspirational. Which tech firm (other than your opportunity facing the channel? What is your guiltiest pleasure? own!) do you most admire? Softcat. The new, up-and-coming workforce It’s got to be red wine and steak. I don’t It has proved that if you do the basics understanding what motivates them to do too much of it now so appreciate it well and consistently the world is your perform in their chosen function. when I do. oyster. In 10 years it has gone from What is your most treasured What is the most irritating tech £60m to more than £1bn – not bad. possession? Memories depicted in buzzphrase of 2018? ‘AI’ as it can What is your guiltiest pleasure? photographs of family and friends, and mean so many different things. Take That. with technology now you can never What would be your first act if What is the most irritating tech lose them. you were made Prime Minister? buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital detox’ What do your family think you I would hold another referendum on and ‘digital productivity’. do all day? They know exactly what I Brexit as I think that leaving the EU will What would be your first act if do as we are a very close unit and enjoy go down as one of the most stupid acts you were made Prime Minister? each other’s company; it helps that the in history. Stop Brexit. boys are now adults. What’s the biggest untapped What’s the biggest untapped Who has been your mentor in opportunity facing the channel? opportunity facing the channel? business? There have been a few that I think that it’s got to be integrating There are so many, but probably the

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A VITAL PART OF A-LIST LIFE

A few of our A-Listers commented that family is not ‘a possession’; 25 of you didn’t share that view. Our committed bunch also treasured the spoils of their hard work, with cars and motorbikes (12), watches (8) and golf clubs (3) featuring. Photos (8) and memories (6) are also highly treasured. And dogs are clearly man or woman’s best friend in eight cases.

treasure their Best of the rest 18% family or kids Football memorabilia, Phone, Health, Music collection, Bicycle, Wedding ring, Passport, Sinclair Spectrum 48k, WW2 Jeep biggest is improving British business buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Blockchain’. through innovation and increased What would be your first act if effiency. Concentrate on delivering the you were made Prime Minister? future. It is difficult to run forwards Reform business rates to encourage the when you are looking backwards. regeneration of the high street. What is your most treasured What’s the biggest untapped possession? My life experiences and opportunity facing the channel? memories. Network security. Not a new What do your family think you opportunity but one that continues to do all day? Whatever I want, hold great opportunities for MSPs. whenever I want. What is your most treasured Who has been your mentor in What has been your highlight possession? My Arsenal rosette and business? Sir Peter Rigby, probably of 2018 so far? After 23 years in program from my first visit to Highbury the most successful channel pioneer. I business, Shift F7 finally became part of in 1973. It was the first football match reported to him directly for six years a plc, the Adept Technology Group. my father took me to and I have been an and during this time learnt a lot of Who would play you in the film of Arsenal supporter ever since. And yes, it things that were good and as many that your life? Tony Soprano – I liked the was one-nil to the Arsenal. weren’t. While he was difficult at times, way he did business, but I wouldn’t have What do your family think you my respect for him grew every day and I our head office in a strip club! do all day? They have absolutely no learnt quite quickly that not everyone is Which tech firm (other than your interest in IT. If they thought about it at as honest or has the same integrity. own!) do you most admire? HP. all they would imagine me in meetings, For all the comings and goings in the IT answering emails, talking a lot and industry, HP has been the one vendor drinking coffee. NIGEL LOMAS we have continually worked with. Its Who has been your mentor in Managing director, Shift F7 products have stood the test of time and business? Garry King, CEO of Shift Tell us something most people it continues to be a major innovator. F7, who I have worked with for 12 years. won’t know about you I used to be What is your guiltiest pleasure? After 17 years of being a VAR he had the a drummer in a punk rock band. The Sitting in my hammock with a glass of vision of transforming Shift F7 into an Sex Pistols, The Damned, The Clash… red wine. MSP, acquiring three businesses along it’s all coming back to me. What is the most irritating tech the way in order to achieve this.

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Innovation through collaboration in a UK-based global winners CPS, Content globalised world. & Code, eBECS, Ensono, Oxford What is your most treasured Computer Group and Solidsoft Reply possession? My Tony Hancock was definitely a highlight. audiobooks – a rare moment of Who would play you in the film escapism in a hectic world. of your life? Anthony LaPaglia. He is What do your family think you Australian with Italian heritage like me, do all day? Answer self-indulgent so he’ll understand what it’s like growing questions, like these. up with an Italian family and having Who has been your mentor in an accent that isn’t clearly his native, business? There have been so many inherited or country of residence. and hopefully a few more to come along Which tech firm (other than your the way. All have set new standards, own!) do you most admire? Of energised those around them, made course I have a love for technology and I work fun and created a connection that have multiple devices around my home was more than just a job. – my favourite at the moment has got SHAUN LYNN to be Sonos. Its ability to innovate great CEO, Agilitas sound, beautiful form and ease of use is Tell us something most people M impressive. won’t know about you During my What is your guiltiest pleasure? student days I worked in a jewellery store Mechanical watches! Over the years I selling Rolexs and learning to engrave. have collected fascinating complicated What has been your highlight of watches from Switzerland, Germany and 2018 so far? From a personal note the even Italy – the level of craftmanship is 40 per cent-plus year-on-year organic just incredible. growth within Agilitas. From an industry What is the most irritating tech note, the theme of ‘relevance’ to provide buzzphrase of 2018? There are so added value services to the channel. many phrases that it’s hard to keep up Who would play you in the film with each one but I know we’re all guilty of your life? If Gary Oldman can play of using them and even making some of Churchill so convincingly, playing me our own up. I’m sure my team will tell will be a doddle for him! me I use annoying buzzphrases all the Which tech firm (other than your time, but let’s go for ‘double down’. own!) do you most admire? Any What would be your first act if startup that is cash positive and making JOE MACRI you were made Prime Minister? a profit. These firms don’t have the VP, UK commercial partner, I’ve spent many years working with baggage that many businesses have, so Microsoft the public sector, most recently as the are a perfect breeding ground for driving Tell us something most people EMEA lead for public sector. I have innovation and challenging convention. won’t know about you I was born a huge passion for our public sector What is your guiltiest pleasure? A in Sydney, Australia, to Italian parents and I’d say my first act would have to vanilla latte or two. Don’t tell my wife! and I live in Ireland – this means most be focused on digital transformation What is the most irritating tech people find my accent is hard to place in education. I’d focus on supporting buzzphrase of 2018? The overuse because I’ve got a mix of them all. the development of skills through the of ‘AI’ by people and companies that What has been your highlight of acceleration of AI integration to truly haven’t got a clue and are simply trying 2018 so far? Our partner ecosystem enable adaptive learning for all. to look relevant rather than be relevant. delivers amazing customer outcomes What is your most treasured What would be your first act if and progress each year so I really enjoy possession? A mechanical watch you were made Prime Minister? the opportunity we have each year given to my father by my grandfather If Brexit has taught us anything it’s to to globally celebrate our partners for 60 years ago and recently it was passed abolish any form of vote. country and global awards. As such, to me. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work What’s the biggest untapped recognising Kainos as our UK Partner at the moment and the horologist who opportunity facing the channel? of the year at Inspire along with our manufactured it is long gone. I’m now

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on a mission to get it back to its original only plucked up the courage to get the condition. whole clan on a boat this summer. What do your family think you do Who would play you in the film of all day? Having worked at Microsoft your life? I’m constantly teased about for more than 20 years in many roles lookalikes. None of them look anything that take me away from home, I’m still like me – Rob Bryden, Anton du Beke, not sure my family know what I do – Hugh Grant, Steve McManaman – take especially my youngest daughter; she your pick. probably thinks I get to play on Xbox Which tech firm (other than your all day! own!) do you most admire? Zuora Who has been your mentor in – pioneering the subscription economy business? First, my wife has been an with a simple but brilliant model. incredible influence on me personally – What is your guiltiest pleasure? I believe who you are in the workplace Crunchy Nut Cornflakes. is shaped by the person you are What is the most irritating tech personally and we’ve been married for buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Singularity in more than 30 years, so she’s definitely artificial intelligence’. been a major influence. What would be your first act if At Microsoft, we truly value you were made Prime Minister? people being authentic and having a Remain. growth mindset so from a professional What’s the biggest untapped VIP), has most certainly been driven perspective, it’s a man I very much opportunity facing the channel? by the above factors. I would, however respect called Tom – he’s been my I’m not telling you. prefer a normal market. career coach for 15 years and he’s an What is your most treasured Who would play you in the film excellent mentor, knowing the right possession? My family. of your life? I asked in the office for questions to ask me to help me think What do your family think you do this answer and was told Leonardo and approach challenges/opportunities all day? Sell mobile phones. DiCaprio, I am quietly pleased with that. differently while offering me a great Who has been your mentor in Which tech firm (other than your sounding board. business? Despite his recent form, own!) do you most admire? As a I remain a huge Elon Musk fan. In my fellow distributor you have to admire mind he is unique in being not only a the growth trajectory that Exertis has completely original thinker but also an been on over the last 10 years. To incredible executor – seeing those Falcon be able to challenge the established heavy rockets land back on those launch- global distribution players is a huge pads was something else, wasn’t it? achievement for Gerry and his team. What is your guiltiest pleasure? FIFA on the Xbox – I just love it! RICH MARSDEN What is the most irritating tech Managing director, VIP UK buzzphrase of 2018? It’s not a Tell us something most people tech phrase but I hear or read about it won’t know about you I was once a every day. The need to ‘have a work- member of the Eddie Stobart fan club. life balance’; success is not achieved by Purely to give me something to do while sitting at home watching TV. NATHAN MARKE driving the length and breadth of the What would be your first act if Chief digital officer, Daisy country. I am no longer a member! you were made Prime Minister? Tell us something most people What has been your highlight of Ban unions – there is no place for the won’t know about you I’m the 2018 so far? There has not been one. pain they cause with 25 per cent of their proud father of two sets of twins. With the mining boom affecting VGA, membership voting. What has been your highlight the challenging retail landscape and now What’s the biggest untapped of 2018 so far? Taking my kids on a the CPU shortage overall, it has been a opportunity facing the channel? sailing boat for the first time. Sailing is tough year in the channel. I would say If I knew I would not shout it out on a huge passion for my wife and I but we this (on the back of a record year for this list.

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What is your most treasured What is your guiltiest pleasure? possession? A signed Bolton Probably just a large glass of red wine. Or Wanderers shirt by super John a relaxing holiday and some great books. McGinlay, who was a legend for the What is the most irritating tech whites when I was growing up. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Crypto’. What do your family think you do Everyone talks about it but I don’t think all day? Sit in meetings drinking coffee, it is properly understood yet. doing not very much. What would be your first act if Who has been your mentor in you were made Prime Minister? business? I have had three: Mark Anything for a humanitarian cause or any Reed, my first boss; Jatti Sahni, my acts that would benefit animal welfare. current one; and Andre Goodison who What’s the biggest untapped was my coach for 12 years before he opportunity facing the channel? sadly passed. Intelligent cloud ERP. Adding artificial intelligence to ERP, helping customers to adjust and adopt business processes based on real-time data and insight. What is your most treasured possession? I wouldn’t say I have any treasured possessions as such but certainly my dog who I love and is a French Briard. He is comical and always puts a smile on my face, even when things are tough. What do your family think you do all day? You know that is a good question! I travel so much for business, Who would play you in the film of but I really don’t think my family realise your life? David Jason. that when you visit these places much Which tech firm (other than of the time you are in a hotel, cab or an your own!) do you most admire? office only. That said they know I work Tandberg and all its spin offs – focus on hard and who I work for. what the customer wants and fantastic Who has been your mentor in execution and team spirit. ANNA MASTERS business? I am lucky I have worked What is your guiltiest pleasure? Vice president of global platinum for some great companies and with great As if I would disclose that. resellers & distribution, SAP people so there has not been one single What is the most irritating tech Tell us something most people person. I have learnt so much from buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Huddle room’. won’t know about you I worked some really talented people and I feel What would be your first act if in a vets when I was much younger for truly fortunate for that. you were made Prime Minister? about three years. To be honest it was To get a cup of coffee. something I would have done if it wasn’t What’s the biggest untapped so heart-breaking. JOHN MASTERS opportunity facing the channel? What has been your highlight Global business development & Audiovisual. of 2018 so far? Being asked to lead marketing director, AVMI What is your most treasured a team on the partner of the future Tell us something most people possession? My front door key. strategy board recommendation. won’t know about you What I really What do your family think you do Who would play you in the film of want to be is an author. all day? Sell big tellys. your life? Anne Hathaway. What has been your highlight of Who has been your mentor in Which tech firm (other than your 2018 so far? Professionally, winning business? Rod Randall (former own!) do you most admire? I the Global Integrator award at the AV mobile entrepreneur and now venture admire Google and Twitter just because Awards. Personally, watching Sarri-ball capitalist). Brain the size of a planet with they feature in our lives so usefully now. getting the better of Liverpool. matching charisma and energy.

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What is your guiltiest pleasure? twice exercised my right to walk sheep Scented candles and roses. I really am over London Bridge. like Elton John. What has been your highlight of What is the most irritating tech 2018 so far? Announcing our strategic buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital detox’. alliance with PwC, delivering our Really? strategic IT and support services to SMEs What would be your first act if in conjunction with their financial and you were made Prime Minister? business information services is brilliant. To double nurses’ pay. Who would play you in the film What’s the biggest untapped of your life? It’s got to be Bruce Willis. opportunity facing the channel? He’s been working on the hair for a while. It’s not really untapped, but digital Which tech firm (other than transformation is probably the biggest your own!) do you most admire? opportunity facing the channel at the I admire Microsoft. It continues moment. The untapped bit is about to innovate, to create markets and doing it properly and getting to the heart technology that is relevant and NATALIE MATTHEWS of what the customer wants to achieve. affordable, and I genuinely feel it’s a Chief operating officer, What is your most treasured cool business once more. Logicalis UK possession? My husband and my What is your guiltiest pleasure? Tell us something most people home. Dark chocolate (at least 85% cocoa). I won’t know about you I help run What do your family think you do can’t think of a day in recent months an adult’s special needs football team all day? Ignore their calls and then text when I haven’t eaten any. called The Basingstoke Strikers with to say I’m in a meeting. What is the most irritating tech my husband and brothers. We have Who has been your mentor in buzzphrase of 2018? Probably ‘AI’ – been running the club for over three business? It is amazing how many my issue is what does that mean? When years and we are all passionate about people want to help guide you when you you ask most people, they struggle to it. The team players have become a big show that you are interested, committed define it (and yet they’re all doing it). part of our life. We train every Saturday and want to learn. I’ve had some great What would be your first act if and then run an annual tournament in mentors at different stages throughout you were made Prime Minister? I August where we are joined by about my career and I can’t single one out. I would restrict non-working people from 10 special needs teams from all over the have learnt so much from them all in using the roads in rush-hour and give country who come to compete, and we different ways. You know who you are, them limited supermarket check-out raise money to keep our club going. so thank you! tills during office lunch-hours. What has been your highlight of What’s the biggest untapped 2018 so far? Arranging my grandad’s opportunity facing the channel? 90th birthday party in September. He Business transformation consultancy. was one of 13 children and there are There are lots of channel partners selling only two of them left, so it was a huge ‘stuff’ without looking at how and why surprise when he arrived and saw his it can be used in the customer base to sister and all his nieces and nephews. It revolutionise their businesses. was a very emotional day. What is your most treasured Who would play you in the film of possession? It’s not the things in your your life? Alison Steadman. life that make you happy, it’s the people. Which tech firm (other than your I’m blessed with an amazing family, great own!) do you most admire? A friends and I get to work with amazing few years ago, I was lucky enough to people every day. That’s what I treasure. spend some time with Colin Brown, What do your family think you do MD of Softcat. He invited me into his ROB MAY all day? “Daddy works with computers, organisation so I could understand more Managing director, ramsac he tells people how to understand them about their culture. I came away with Tell us something most people and he tells people what to do because so many thoughts, ideas and was very won’t know about you I have the he’s the boss.” inspired by what they have created. freedom of the City of London and I’ve Who has been your mentor in

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business? I’ve had various mentors you were made Prime Minister? What has been your highlight of over the years but for the last six or Restore the NHS to full health. It’s a 2018 so far? The continued success seven it’s been a chairman from Vistage tremendous national asset. Second of James Healey, the MD of my MSP (along with the entire CEO peer group). would be a new vote on Brexit. – Air-IT. Because of the company’s Mentors are invaluable. What’s the biggest untapped success it has enabled me to keep out of opportunity facing the channel? the business. This has meant I have been There is lots of change going on able to focus on my work in Air-MSP, at present, and change represents our consultancy practice that helps opportunity. For me, the information aspiring tech companies become TSP/ market is where the largest changes are MSPs. We work to achieve TPSA – going on; people are starting to realise Total Professional Services Automation. the value of data. It’s a real passion of mine. What is your most treasured Who would play you in the film of possession? Henrik Larsson’s jersey your life? Robert Downey Jr. He is tall, from the 2003 UEFA Cup semi-final, in good looking and charismatic – totally which he scored the winner. opposite to me. What do your family think you do Which tech firm (other than all day? Build PowerPoint slides. your own!) do you most admire? Who has been your mentor in Mirus-IT for the way it has embraced business? I’ve had several throughout change and transformed its business. BILL MCGLOIN my career who have all helped The turnaround in 18 months has been Chief technologist, immensely and it would be unfair to nothing but incredible. The M team had Computacenter single out one. However, I’ll always a total overhaul of their systems and Tell us something most people revert to my father who instilled a work have come out the other side in a very won’t know about you I played ethic in me which brought opportunities good place – they are now one of the football both professionally and semi- he could never have, and I’ll always be major SMB MSPs in the UK, can scale professionally for several years until (lack grateful to him. and are growing with confidence. Paul of) ability made me focus on technology. Tomlinson and his team have done a What has been your highlight of great job. 2018 so far? Professionally, seeing the What is your guiltiest pleasure? results of work put in last year come Chocolate all the way – a bar a day and to fruition this year in terms of results. I’m a happy man. Personally, I was very proud of my son’s What is the most irritating tech exam results at school. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital Who would play you in the film of transformation’. DT has been with us your life? Definitely someone without since the late 1990s – it’s nothing new. an ego; I’ll go for Leonardo DiCaprio, And ‘a master MSP’. Outsourcing your as he doesn’t seem to take himself too desk or NOC for me is a big no – these seriously. two key service components must be Which tech firm (other than your delivered directly by the MSP and should own!) do you most admire? There’s not be outsourced to a master MSP. a few and it’s a tough choice to pick just What would be your first act if one, but as I like disruptive technologies TODD MCQUILKIN you were made Prime Minister? I’ll go for Nvidia: good vision, strong CEO, Air-IT & managing partner/ I’d find a way to make big businesses pay product portfolio and good leadership. senior consultant, Air-MSP their taxes like us small businesses have What is your guiltiest pleasure? Tell us something most people to. Any income earned in the UK must That’s easy – Kylie (just don’t tell anyone). won’t know about you I am be taxed fairly and without creative What is the most irritating tech severely dyslexic with a spelling age of accounting taking place. buzzphrase of 2018? Probably 13 and reading age of 12. I left school What’s the biggest untapped ‘blockchain’, although ‘serverless having failed three out of my four opportunity facing the channel? computing’ is running it close. years in senior school and left with no Offering more DevOps to our clients What would be your first act if qualifications to my name. and helping them with their own big

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data and transforming their business me ‘Rain Man’ I guess I’d go with Dustin great opportunity. The move to online so they are prepared for a modern Hoffman. services and hardware becoming competitive market. Which tech firm (other than your more and more of a commodity rather What is your most treasured own!) do you most admire? I think than the actual ‘product’ gives a huge possession? My Big Cat – and not the way Microsoft has moved itself to opportunity for those working in the four-legged variety! My Jaguar XKR being a ‘cloud services’ organisation our industry, who deliver a quality Sipercharged Ultimate Back. from a software company is very professional services offering, to win What do your family think you do impressive. I think how Satya Nadella business for the right reasons. all day? My wife would say because I has managed to transform a business of What is your most treasured enjoy going to work it’s more like a fun that size in the timeframe he’s done it possession? Outside of the obvious day out. Mind you, as CEO I do get to is quite remarkable. Changing the tack clichés of ‘my family’ and so on, currently play a bit of golf, so she may have a point. of a business is challenging and they’ve I’d say it’s my Caterham 7 as it’s what I Who has been your mentor in evolved it quickly. use for those Sunday mornings out. business? I’ve not really had one for What is your guiltiest pleasure? What do your family think you do my Air-IT journey. In my early years, An early Sunday morning drive out in all day? Turn things off and on again. I did learn a lot from my dad while the countryside with friends for breakfast Who has been your mentor in working in our family business. while the roads are empty, and then back business? There are a few: my dad home again in time for everyone else who taught me to get out there and to be getting up. It’s a great chance for try and make things happen as they me to clear my head and concentrate generally don’t come looking for you; on something that’s not work for a little my first two bosses (they jointly ran the while and get some downtime. business) who taught me the value of What is the most irritating customer service; two brothers who are tech buzzphrase of 2018? The friends who ran one of my first clients ‘influencer’, people who exist by just who inspired me to grow a business; and being ‘famous’. People who’ve done a friend who has now ‘retired’ to South something worthwhile to become Africa, who again showed me a lot about famous, for example Elon Musk who’s growing a business. currently launching stuff into space, or Gates/Zuckerberg/Dell giving billions to charity now they’ve achieved so much RUPERT MILLS are great in my book, but I’d sooner CEO, Krome Technologies boil my head than spend time with a Tell us something most people Kardashian or a social media ‘influencer’. won’t know about you I’m a big fan What would be your first act if of biographies; I like reading about what you were made Prime Minister? makes people tick. Most people who I would change the political system to know me do know I’m a big motorsport ensure that politicians could only seek fan but there’s been some great election if they had real-world experience motorsport biographies out this year. I’d outside of it. Career politicians who have highly recommend Adrian Newey’s. never seen any time in industry or service What has been your highlight of outside of the political system are bad for 2018 so far? Seeing our team grow the system overall. They can argue their ZANDRA MOORE again and being able to give out a bunch point and score points off each other as CEO, Panintelligence of ‘long service’ awards has been a it is what they have learned to do, but as Tell us something most people great pleasure and honour for me this they do not have any other career, they won’t know about you I have had year. Krome is nine years old now and will say whatever they need to in order to walk-on roles in Emmerdale and was in keeping a whole bunch of that original stay elected. their Church Choir; we even released team together is a highlight for me. What’s the biggest untapped an album and I was on the front cover. I Who would play you in the film opportunity facing the channel? don’t even watch the programme! of your life? I’d like Jon Hamm, but The ability for channel organisations to What has been your highlight given a number of our team jokingly call differentiate on service has become a of 2018 so far? Growing the team

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from 20-30 people in six months. We possession? I am from a large of your life? Jack Black. are experiencing fantastic growth and Yorkshire family and I have lots of old Which tech firm (other than building a fantastic culture and team I photos of my ancestors. We go back your own!) do you most admire? am immensely proud of. I love going to 14 generations in my village. Photos of Apple. It is arguably one of the most work; it feels like a family. family would be the first thing I would transformative companies today and Who would play you in the film of save – after the kids – in a fire. is constantly evolving. The company your life? Jennifer Saunders, although What do your family think you do reviews what its competition is doing I wish I was that funny. I often find all day? Play ping pong and pool. My and takes it one step further. Another myself in moments which would make kids have spent time in the holidays at area I admire is that 31 per cent of its for a great comedy. Think Absolutely the office and they take full advantage of employees are women. Fabulous meets The Office! the recreational spaces we have for our What is your guiltiest pleasure? Which tech firm (other than your team. Natalie said: “This isn’t work, you Silence – pure unadulterated peace and own!) do you most admire? I most just play all day!” quiet. Silence while drift diving would admire business built on the foundations Who has been your mentor in be the pinnacle. of a strong culture. New high growth business? I have had a number of What is the most irritating tech SaaS companies like Epos Now are mentors but my mum stands out. Now buzzphrase of 2018? Any form exciting to be involved with, with an retired, she was a leader in the early ISPs of acronyms or complex terminology agile and innovative culture. While Planet Online, Freeserve and Energis that ‘normal human beings’ will not Tribal, a more established software and has been a huge influence on my understand – experts flaunting their vendor into education, has transformed choice of career. As one of very few wisdom while forgetting their audience. its business and maintained a great women in tech at the time, she has led A recent European conference began culture and experienced team in the the way for women like me to believe in with colleagues promising plain process, which is a hard thing to achieve. ourselves and succeed. language to a multilingual audience What is your guiltiest pleasure? and then talking about ‘ubiquitous Game of Thrones. I secretly wish I was disintermediation’. Daenerys Targaryen. What would be your first act if What is the most irritating tech you were made Prime Minister? buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Disruptive’… Banning television advertising of sugary although the new Baby Shark Song snacks and fast food, especially on the kids are singing at home is a close children’s channels. A close second second! I just wish I could get it out of would be eliminating centre lane only my head – do do do do do do. drivers (CLOD) on motorways. Do not What would be your first act if let them travel! you were made Prime Minister? What’s the biggest untapped Implement a returnship programme opportunity facing the channel? similar to apprenticeships for women The potential to offer unique capabilities returning to work after children. I know as an overall solution end-to-end is so many incredibly talented mums CAMILLE MORGAN where I see many partners succeeding who feel returning to the work they are Partner manager, CA – nothing new, just perfecting a great educated and experienced in is simply Technologies model which is in client demand. Great not an option for them. Tell us something most people service with unrivalled tools delivering What’s the biggest untapped won’t know about you Every April exceptional customer experiences. opportunity facing the channel? I help host an annual jelly fight for up to What is your most treasured Analytics and AI is a huge growth area 200 children and adults. possession? My passport. and it’s built on data. The channel has What has been your highlight What do your family think you do customers sat on huge amounts of of 2018 so far? Trying to be more all day? My children think I do ‘lunch data that they are not getting the value adventurous. I started by completing and a lot of talking’. They have seen CA’s from. Analytics is an easy and obvious my first ever mud run and making the picturesque offices and manor house upsell opportunity for any channel promo video for 2019 followed up by on a beautiful day so possibly think I organisation helping customers to riding the longest zipline in Spain, at may also feed the swans and play tennis collect and store data. 436m long. for most of the day – nothing too brain What is your most treasured Who would play you in the film taxing or strenuous!

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A-LIST 2019

Who has been your mentor in ‘Possessions’ are to be enjoyed not attributable to Buzz Aldrin, tech-related business? My first boss – she was treasured – lest the things we own end or otherwise. honest, fair, determined, direct and up owning us. What would be your first act if driven. A true inspiration, mentor and What do your family think you you were made Prime Minister? ultimately became a great friend. do all day? According to my youngest I would abolish referendums. daughter, Sara, all I do is talk to lots of What’s the biggest untapped people and drink coffee. opportunity facing the channel? Who has been your mentor in The fact that there is such a narrow business? I have several but mainly stretch of water between Dover and Patrick Lencioni and Jim Collins (I’ve Calais really lends itself to a high-speed read all their books). rail link between the two countries. Oh, hang on… What is your most treasured possession? My iPhone password. What do your family think you do all day? They think I actually work when I get to work. An outdated concept of course. How little they know! Who has been your mentor in PHYLIP MORGAN business? I’ve not had a mentor but Managing director, Network the staff at Bytes are enough to inspire Group and drive me and the company forward. Tell us something most people won’t know about you I’m an ordained church minister. What has been your highlight of 2018 so far? Watching our NEIL MURPHY daughter Ffion get back on the football Group managing director, Bytes pitch for Wales v England International Technology Group after a harrowing ACL knee injury Tell us something most people last November. won’t know about you I walk Who would play you in the film of downstairs backwards while whistling your life? Tom Cruise. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. Which tech firm (other than your What has been your highlight of own!) do you most admire? Tesla. 2018 so far? The red one on top of the What is your guiltiest pleasure? Shard is probably the highest I’ve seen Drinking red wine. this year. SCOTT MURPHY What is the most irritating tech Who would play you in the film Director cloud and advanced buzzphrase of 2018? “I don’t have of your life? Purely for being able to solutions, Ingram Micro the bandwidth”, “I’m swamped” or “I’m capture my emotional maturity and Tell us something most people too buzy” will do just fine thanks. sensitivity, Vinnie Jones. won’t know about you I’m actually What would be your first act if Which tech firm (other than reserved and quiet when not in ‘work you were made Prime Minister? your own!) do you most admire? mode’. Most people don’t know I’m only Ensure every company trading in the UK Whoever built the Tardis – awesome! 39 either! pays taxes to the UK. If you trade here, What is your guiltiest pleasure? What has been your highlight it’s your social obligation to contribute. Riding my bike through red lights and of 2018 so far? Driving change What’s the biggest untapped up one way streets the wrong way and within Ingram Micro and building a opportunity facing the channel? talking in a French accent if anyone brilliant team. How we could use AI and robotics to complains. Who would play you in the film of make ‘mundane’ tasks history. What is the most irritating tech your life? Dwayne Johnson (it doesn’t What is your most treasured buzzphrase of 2018? I’m afraid have to be realistic, does it?) possession? I don’t have any. I am unaware of any 2018 phrases Which tech firm (other than your

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own!) do you most admire? Not one but a collective. I love all businesses that don’t get consumed by politics, are bold in their visions and live a culture that oozes accountability and passion. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Boursin on After Eight chocolate. What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018? Too many to list – our industry gets too hung up on buzzwords and phrases. Customers don’t even know or want to know what they mean, in my experience. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? Refresh and reform the whole system to be more inclusive of the country’s diversity and reality. your life? Probably either Sacha Baron MANDI NICHOLSON What’s the biggest untapped Cohen, Ricky Gervais or Steve Coogan. Sales operations director, Bytes opportunity facing the channel? Which tech firm (other than Software Services People and maximising potential in your own!) do you most admire? Tell us something most people everybody across varying diversities age, QURED. The Uber of healthcare. Doctor won’t know about you I have sex, race, beliefs, nerodiverse, sexual to your door in less than two hours. It’s connections to some East End gangsters orientation and more. the future. – so be nice to me. What is your most treasured What is your guiltiest pleasure? What has been your highlight of possession? My family. Crisps, crisps and more crisps. The 2018 so far? The long hot summer and What do your family think you paprika ones from M&S are a favourite Barry Manilow at the O2. do all day? Make phone calls and tell right now. Who would play you in the film of people what to do. What is the most irritating tech your life? Jennifer Aniston. Who has been your mentor in buzzphrase of 2018? ‘AI’. It’s overused. Which tech firm (other than your business? Two close friends of mine What would be your first act if own!) do you most admire? Apple now, Henry Godwin (VMware) and you were made Prime Minister? – its values and ability to make you truly Jamie Farrelly (Symantec), are the people A second Brexit referendum, now that love its technology. I count on most for advice and to sound people actually know a little more What is your guiltiest pleasure? ideas with. about the potential consequences of Love Island (and Barry Manilow). their actions. What is the most irritating tech What’s the biggest untapped buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital detox’. N opportunity facing the channel? What would be your first act if Probably taking on Martin Hellawell you were made Prime Minister? JAMES NAPP at tennis while he has a bit of a dodgy Extermination of all pigeons and seagulls. Managing director, Bechtle UK Achilles. What’s the biggest untapped Tell us something most people What is your most treasured opportunity facing the channel? won’t know about you I grew up on possession? Possessions are generally ‘True’ AI. a British military base in Germany. a burden, so good health and fun What is your most treasured What has been your highlight experiences take priority. possession? My photo albums (and of 2018 so far? It’s been a year to What do your family think you do my handbag). remember, but watching Scooter live in all day? Boss everyone about. What do your family think you do Stuttgart for my brother’s 40th birthday Who has been your mentor in all day? Sit about and chat to people is definitely up there, along with a huge business? I’ve been fortunate to over coffee. amount of great days and fun times with have several. A well-known ‘dad of the Who has been your mentor in family and in the business. channel’ and Ian Caston, my first boss business? I should say my boss – Neil Who would play you in the film of are among them. Murphy – which is true, of course.

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What do your family think you do Which tech firm (other than your all day? “Talk tech stuff.” own!) do you most admire? SpaceX Who has been your mentor in – a disruptive approach to business, business? A previous, now retired innovation and breaking boundaries. very successful MD I had the pleasure of What is your guiltiest pleasure? working with 20 years ago. Häagen-Dazs Cookies & Cream ice cream. What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Blockchain’. It O has the potential to be transformative to how we live, work and play, and few in our industry understand its potential. Therefore, struggling to envision the art of the possible for customers and their customers. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? Ban reality TV – the most mind- JP NORMAN numbing piece of entertainment Director of technology, security invented and, in many cases, promotes & governance, Amicus ITS mediocrity by elevating talentless Tell us something most people individuals to notoriety. won’t know about you I am What’s the biggest untapped qualified to teach the full range of the opportunity facing the channel? clarinet. IaaS. This segment in the cloud is the What has been your highlight fastest growing and set to become the of 2018 so far? Receiving a surprise largest segment accounting for more thank you from a local charity I have than 50 per cent of the cloud market. supported for the last 20 years. The augmentation of the derivatives of Who would play you in the film of IaaS namely AI, IoT and big data will your life? Patrick Stewart. continue to drive exponential growth for Which tech firm (other than organisations of all types and sizes who your own!) do you most admire? embrace it. It’s the critical ingredient Microsoft, because of the step change in to achieving differentiation and strategic alignment both to its corporate competitive advantage. and gaming approach. What is your most treasured What is your guiltiest pleasure? possession? My wedding ring, of Nintendo Switch gaming. APAY OBANG-OYWAY course. Without the strong woman in What is the most irritating tech Director channel, Northern front of me I would not be where I buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Talk to the Europe, Symantec am today. presentation.’ Who does this? Tell us something most people What do your family think you What would be your first act if won’t know about you I DJ in do all day? Talk on the phone and you were made Prime Minister? my spare time to relax; I’m open to do numbers. More help for the homeless and weddings, christening and all other Who has been your mentor in genuinely vulnerable. significant family occasions. business? I have been blessed with What’s the biggest untapped What has been your highlight of having access to numerous mentors over opportunity facing the channel? 2018 so far? Being awarded Cloud the years both internal and external. Further penetration into technology in Visionary of the Year at the UK Cloud My mentors have been from myriad social care. Awards 2018. industries, not just IT, and include What is your most treasured Who would play you in the film senior executives both technical and possession? My teddy bear from of your life? Idris Elba – a progressive business from companies such as ITV, when I was a baby, handmade by my actor with strong core values and fluid Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Greenpeace, grandmother. identity. Symantec and smaller tech startups.

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P possession? Time with my family What is the most irritating tech and friends. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘The cloud’, What do your family think you because it’s been a buzzword for as long do all day? Conference calls and as I can remember, and everyone has responding to emails (unfortunately their own understanding of it. there is too much truth in that). What would be your first Who has been your mentor in act if you were made Prime business? Over my career I’ve been Minister? Lower taxes and promote lucky enough to have had a number entrepreneurship. of people who have taken the time What’s the biggest untapped to support, guide and challenge me. opportunity facing the channel? Of notable mention would be Mark Providing managed service offerings Norton in my early years at Compaq, around cloud-based vendor propositions. not forgetting John Nicholson. In later What is your most treasured years and probably for a longer period possession? My Chelsea season ticket. of time it’s been Andy Isherwood, who What do your family think you I still see today. do all day? Sell computers and CLARE PARRY-JONES entertain clients. Sector director, Computacenter Who has been your mentor in Tell us something most people business? My dad. I’ve been lucky won’t know about you I love enough to work for and learn from him making desserts – cakes and especially over the years. Pavlovas and meringues. What has been your highlight of 2018 so far? My eldest child turning 18, and winning Manager of the Year at the CRN Women in Channel Awards. Who would play you in the film of your life? Eve Myles – from the BBC drama Finding Faith. I like to think I have the same mix of strength, fun and passion in everything I do. NICK PAUL Which tech firm (other than Sales director, Cisilion your own!) do you most admire? Tell us something most people Microsoft – what Satya Nadella and won’t know about you I used to his team has achieved since he took the play football semi-professionally. helm is phenomenal. What has been your highlight of What is your guiltiest pleasure? 2018 so far? Growing the team and MURRAY PEARCE Eating smooth peanut butter straight finding some amazing talent that will Managing director, Infinigate UK from the jar. enable us to achieve our next period of Tell us something most people What is the most irritating tech significant growth. won’t know about you I am a buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital detox’ Who would play you in the film of director at the London Acorn School, a – it doesn’t sound like any spa day I have your life? Leonardo DiCaprio. low tech school that develops children been on or one I would want to go on. Which tech firm (other than your holistically and has an emphasis on What would be your first act if own!) do you most admire? Cisco. creativity and emotional well-being you were made Prime Minister? It has had to adapt and drastically shift along with academic development. Another Brexit referendum. its business model from a hardware to a What has been your highlight of What’s the biggest untapped software focused one. This is a huge shift 2018 so far? It is hard to pin down a opportunity facing the channel? and over the past 12 months we have specific event, as it is a huge privilege to How we monetise and define our role in started to see the benefits of that. work with my team and there are many the move to XaaS. What is your guiltiest pleasure? highlights to celebrate. We genuinely What is your most treasured Watches. support and encourage the best from

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each other. Working for a team with this working closely with a world-class What is the most irritating tech attitude is my overall highlight. mentor who has had a significant impact buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Web 2.0’, ‘3.0’, Who would play you in the film of on my personal development and that ‘4.0’ etc. your life? Patrick Stewart would be my of our team. For data protection reasons What would be your first act if first choice. I doubt I would be his. he/she will remain anonymous. you were made Prime Minister? Which tech firm (other than your Force a referendum on Brexit. own!) do you most admire? It is What’s the biggest untapped hard to overlook Amazon and not only opportunity facing the channel? for AWS. It has understood the market Closing the skills gap with the use of direction so well time and time again automation and real-time decision- and mastered how to take advantage of making tools. the key trends in how we work and play. What is your most treasured The impact of Amazon across multiple possession? A new, unopened sectors is very impressive. shrink-wrapped original 1980s Sinclair What is your guiltiest pleasure? Spectrum 48k. One day that must be I like to play computer games to relax. worth something surely? What is the most irritating tech What do your family think you do buzzphrase of 2018? The ‘cool’ all day? They are often in the office buzzwords that come in cycles from and hear my war stories every night so I across the Atlantic – and how they think they have a pretty good feeling for seem to spread like wildfire among what I do each day now. sales people here – are pretty irritating. JOHN PEPPER Who has been your mentor in ‘Cadence’ is currently at the top of my CEO & founder, Managed 24/7 business? I have never had a mentor. most annoying list. Tell us something most people Hopefully in the future I would make a What would be your first act if won’t know about you I am a good mentor for somebody. you were made Prime Minister? bit of an adrenaline junky. Fan of To have a second referendum on Brexit. rollercoasters, things that go fast and Theresa May’s statement that it would things that go up in the air, so I have be undemocratic to do so is wrong in never been a big golf or fishing fan. my view; people should have the choice What has been your highlight of to vote once we have a final deal on 2018 so far? Sitting with our software offer. What could be more democratic development team as we prepare for than that? launch of Predictably in 2019. It is a What’s the biggest untapped monumental project that I believe and opportunity facing the channel? hope will be a positive force for the Accelerating cloud adoption by service provider community. customers is the most significant trend Who would play you in the film of for our channel to consider. Many your life? Matt Lucas with Greg Davis partners still need to think through their narrating. strategy properly and strengthen their Which tech firm (other than your ALEX PHILLIPS value proposition to take advantage of own!) do you most admire? Despite Director of strategy, Northamber this trend (and mitigate the potential the ups and downs, I still admire Tesla What has been your highlight of risk to their traditional business). and all the plates that Mr Musk juggles. 2018 so far? Getting married. What is your most treasured The incredible changes that Satya What is your guiltiest pleasure? possession? My sanity. Although at Nadella has made to Microsoft is also Travel. My job takes me all over the times I do wonder… something that I admire greatly. world and I never tire of visiting Dubai, What do your family think you What is your guiltiest pleasure? Las Vegas and many fabulous places do all day? Help save the world from Lego Technics. There, I said it. There is around Europe, the US and wider baddies… well, that is what my five- something quite magical in sitting and afield. I just wish I had a bit more time year-old boy thinks anyway. following beautifully crafted instructions to enjoy them. Who has been your mentor in and ‘switching off’ for an hour or two What would be your first act if business? I have the privilege of making something. you were made Prime Minister?

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A second referendum on Brexit. What is the most irritating tech platform for Centerprise. What’s the biggest untapped buzzphrase of 2018? I chose three: Who would play you in the film of opportunity facing the channel? ‘eat our own dog food’, ‘rockstar’ and your life? Clark Gable. Resellers doing more audiovisual for ‘lean in’. Which tech firm (other than their end users, especially huddle What would be your first act if your own!) do you most admire? rooms and meeting spaces in corporate you were made Prime Minister? Computacenter – the performance environments or interactive panels in Focus on improvements/investment of Mike Norris over so many years is schools. into the NHS. admirable. What is your most treasured What’s the biggest untapped What is your guiltiest pleasure? possession? My BlackBerry for work opportunity facing the channel? My morbid sense of humour. emails, iPhone for everything else. Device-as-a-Service. This is a huge What is the most irritating tech What do your family think you do opportunity for the channel. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Cloud’, ‘cloud’, all day? My family know what I do as What is your most treasured ‘cloud’. As if we don’t have enough the business was founded by my father. possession? Can I have three if they clouds in this country! Who has been your mentor in all begin with ‘f’? My fiancé, my family What’s the biggest untapped business? My father. and my friends. opportunity facing the channel? What do your family think you do Business analytics. all day? Sit in meetings all day. What is your most treasured Who has been your mentor in possession? The employees of business? I have been lucky to have Centerprise. many really good managers at HP which What do your family think you do is a huge reason why I’ve been so loyal all day? They just think I am mad to to the company, but there are two HP spend all the hours working at my age. managers who stand out as true mentors, Who has been your mentor in that helped me to really believe in myself business? My manager at IBM. at a critical time in my career, and whose advice I still refer back to today.

R NATALIE PILGRIM Commercial PC channel sales manager UKI, HP Tell us something most people won’t know about you Growing up, I featured in one of the Fairy Liquid adverts with Nanette Newman. What has been your highlight of 2018 so far? Getting engaged. Who would play you in the film SEAN REMNANT of your life? Julie Walters because she Chief strategy officer, Ignition always seems to be having so much fun Technology with every film she does. Tell us something most people Which tech firm (other than won’t know about you I have a your own!) do you most admire? RAFI RAZZAK passion for all things two-wheeled. Netflix, for looking at how the world is Chairman, Centerprise What has been your highlight of changing and creating its own successful International 2018 so far? My eldest daughter’s business model to fit changing customer Tell us something most people GCSE results. It’s great to see hard work needs/wants. Forward looking, creative won’t know about you I like paying off. and relevant. chocolate pudding. Who would play you in the film of What is your guiltiest pleasure? What has been your highlight your life? Tom Hardy. Crisps. Once I start eating I can’t stop. of 2018 so far? Creating the digital Which tech firm (other than

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your own!) do you most admire? What is your guiltiest pleasure? level than ever before. It has allowed me Softcat: graduate programmes, culture, Bags of crisps. to work on my business as opposed to strategy and vision. What is the most irritating tech just in the business, something which is What is your guiltiest pleasure? buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital strategy’. extremely liberating and empowering A whole tub of Belgian Chocolate What would be your first act if and actually allows me to multiply Haagen Dazs. you were made Prime Minister? my value to my company. Obviously, What is the most irritating tech Scrap HS2 and build an Ethernet to opening the office in the Benelux and buzzphrase of 2018? ‘GDPR’. every small business in the UK instead being shortlisted for two CRN Awards What would be your first act if – this would supercharge the economy are two major highlights of 2018! you were made Prime Minister? instead of knocking 20 minutes off a Who would play you in the film Increase pay in the public services. 2.15 hour journey that nobody minds. of your life? Probably Kristen Wiig What’s the biggest untapped What’s the biggest untapped (Bridesmaids). Not just because of opportunity facing the channel? opportunity facing the channel? course I am naturally hilarious! More Services. Enterprise doesn’t have enough That’s a trade secret. the fact that I do get myself into some resource and skills, and the workload What is your most treasured interesting situations based on trying and complexity is increasing. possession? My family. to do the right thing and getting out of What is your most treasured What do your family think you do them is often a story in its own right. possession? My Specialized carbon all day? Great question – my wife still Which tech firm (other than your road bike. has no idea what Daisy really does. own!) do you most admire? I may What do your family think you do Who has been your mentor in be a bit biased but there is much to all day? Fix computers. business? Many people but probably admire about most tech companies. Who has been your mentor in Peter Dubens of Oakley Capital, who But the one that stands out is Tesla. I business? Neil Ledger and Ian Morris; is amazing. love the sound of an engine, but Tesla I couldn’t split them. is trailblazing and is not only changing the way we get about, it is helping alter the way we think about cars and transportation to accommodate the future. What started in my mind as a techie fad has actually turned out to be an impressive new brand in a relatively short space of time. I’ve not got one on order yet though. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Probably Disney Pixar movies. The Incredibles is my all-time favourite. What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018? It was ‘GDPR’ HAYLEY ROBERTS but I am less irritated now as the hype CEO, Distology has diminished a good deal. My least MATT RILEY Tell us something most people favourite of all time is ‘I don’t have the Chairman, Daisy won’t know about you I was bandwidth’. Last time I checked I ran my Tell us something most people quite the tomboy growing up and day by time not capacity. won’t know about you I can walk would still rather drive fast cars than What would be your first act if on my hands like a gymnast. go dress shopping. you were made Prime Minister? What has been your highlight of What has been your highlight I would make people go through a 2018 so far? My son’s A-Level results of 2018 so far? 2018 is the year I rigorous test to see if they will be fit – he proved that hard work pays off. mastered the ‘Art of Letting Go’. As dog owners before they are allowed to Who would play you in the film of a founder, it’s challenging to take the have one. your life? Tom Hardy. leap of faith and delegate but seeing my What’s the biggest untapped Which tech firm (other than your team develop, in terms of capability and opportunity facing the channel? own!) do you most admire? Softcat responsibility, gave me the confidence In this competitive and fast-growing – brilliant execution of a simple plan. to trust and finally do this to a greater industry I still think we are ignoring

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collaboration in the most part. We competed in the Support Race for the Le I bought in 1986 when I was 16 years need to have better joint strategies Mans 24-Hour race. old. My mum advised me to buy it as a and technical collaboration in order to What has been your highlight reminder of working hard to get what properly service the market. Plus, make of 2018 so far? Taking to market you want, so I did! I paid for it out of my things more simple. The easier it is to use Celerity’s new portfolio of security first wages over a period of 20 weeks. I then the more likely the uptake will be. services, Citadel. Citadel is designed still wear it to this day. What is your most treasured to offer enterprise-level security to What do your family think you possession? I would say my car and detect, protect, react and secure an do all day? I asked my daughter who’s my dog. Obviously, I love my children, organisation’s technology from cyber aged seven and she thinks I have a very but I don’t own them. My car and my threats, with a specific focus on nice life. I talk to lots of people on the dog are less maintenance and such fun. medium-sized businesses and public phone, meet very important people to What do your family think you sector organisations. help them… and drink tea all day! do all day? Apparently I talk about Who would play you in the film Who has been your mentor in ‘vendors and margin’ all day but they of your life? Elvis Costello – good business? Dave Kay, who, among probably think I just sit at a desk or on looking lad! his other roles, was European vice a train drinking coffee. I do get told off Which tech firm (other than president at IBM, and has recently been for being stressed and worrying about your own!) do you most admire? working to advise Celerity around the everything and not sitting down. But Microsoft for the change that has been development of our Citadel product an they know I wouldn’t be any different made under the current CEO, whereby enabling the change in the business. even if I didn’t run my own business. the business has pivoted from being Who has been your mentor in almost wholly based on two products business? I have been very lucky to (MS Office and MS Windows) to having S have had several positive influences in a full range of products including my working life but the most recent and embracing the cloud. To enable that impactful has been Divyesh Lakhani. level of change in a business of that size Divyesh was my boss when I started is truly admirable. in this industry and over the years has What is your guiltiest pleasure? become my friend. He would argue that Malibu and pineapple. I enjoy them far, I never needed him but quite honestly far more than I should ever admit. it has been his passion for business and What is the most irritating tech faith in me that has helped me find the buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital detox’. courage to keep going and achieve my What would be your first act if potential. I hope I can be as good an you were made Prime Minister? influence as him one day. Increase funding towards palliative care to improve the quality of life of anyone facing end-of-life treatment, offering them and their families additional physical, emotional and financial support. FRANK SALMON What’s the biggest untapped CEO, CMS Distribution opportunity facing the channel? Tell us something most people Small and medium businesses are finding won’t know about you That’s a the same IT security challenges as the struggle. In my last life I was a DJ and in large players, and there simply are not my other life I enjoy coaching football. enough IT security experts to be able to What has been your highlight of address the need. Therefore, being able 2018 so far? There have been many, to offer an end-to-end managed security including opening a new office in Dublin offering, which takes the problem away and in Stockholm; Arsenal getting a new from such organisations represents an manager; however, the biggest highlight CHRISTOPHER J ROCHE enormous opportunity for both the was winning a global contract and CEO, Celerity channel and customers. setting up in the US. Tell us something most people What is your most treasured Who would play you in the won’t know about you I have twice possession? A gold curb chain which film of your life? Chris O’Dowd.

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He would make my life much more interesting and funny. Which tech firm (other than your own!) do you most admire? Apple. It has done a fantastic job in creating a user experience that is second to none on its consumer devices. What is your guiltiest pleasure? My annual golf membership – because I rarely play. What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018? ‘GDPR’. Every other document I receive is password protected because of GDPR… What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? own!) do you most admire? DAN SCARFE Go back to the country and take another I admire any tech firm that invests and UK Founder, New Signature vote on Brexit and settle the debate once learns to stay relevant. Many come and Tell us something most people and for all. go but few reinvent. won’t know about you I was nearly What’s the biggest untapped What is your guiltiest pleasure? featured on The Apprentice a few years opportunity facing the channel? Most of our partners know they can win back. Sadly (luckily) they didn’t pick me. Automation – there are so many me over with Walkers Sensations crisps What has been your highlight repetitive tasks in our daily lives that or Cheetos! of 2018 so far? Being a finalist in could be removed through automation. What is the most irritating tech the Microsoft UK Partner of the Year What is your most treasured buzzphrase of 2018? There are loads Awards. Second out of 40,000 partners possession? I would like to say I hate: ‘circle back’, ‘choice point’, ‘double- is none too shabby. my kids, but it’s unfair to call them click’, ‘guru’, ‘rockstar’ and ‘bleeding Who would play you in the film possessions, so my iPhone – I’d be lost edge’. Just use normal words. of your life? Jesse Eisenberg. A geek without it. What would be your first act if done good. What do your family think you you were made Prime Minister? Which tech firm (other than do all day? Sit in meetings, listening Remove Further/Higher Education fees your own!) do you most admire? to people. for young adults. Amazon. It truly is the everything store. What’s the biggest untapped It’s scary how easy it makes it to spend opportunity facing the channel? money with it. Luckily there is no ability NEIL SAWYER As a service billing on workspace to see the total amount you’ve spent. I Commercial channel director technology. would probably cry. Its cloud is ok too – UKI, HP What is your most treasured nearly as good as Azure. Tell us something most people possession? My family and being What is your guiltiest pleasure? won’t know about you I am a healthy. Ice cream. qualified football referee. What do your family think you do What is the most irritating tech What has been your highlight of all day? My son points to every plane buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Multi-cloud’. It’s 2018 so far? It has been a stellar year he sees in the sky and says my name so I such a simple, throwaway concept that for HP: becoming Top 3 vendor in MPS; assume he thinks I am a pilot. people band about. Very few understand retaining #1 in PC sales; launching HP Who has been your mentor in the profound implications and complexity Device-as-a-Service with our channel business? My dad has always been involved with achieving it. It has merit, for partners; and working with more great. At work, I have only had a couple some, but the majority of organisations partners than ever before. Not bad! of long-standing line managers who really only need one cloud. Who would play you in the film have helped me learn and develop in What would be your first act if of your life? Harry Potter (no other strategy and finance. The whole channel you were made Prime Minister? reason apart from I look like him – are brilliant mentors. I have learned To make the country the most apparently). so much about our trade and different entrepreneur-friendly, innovative nation Which tech firm (other than your perspectives. in the world. Reward those who take risks

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and encourage others to do the same. Google, for its pioneering work with AI. Who would play you in the film What’s the biggest untapped What is your guiltiest pleasure? of your life? Dream = Michael opportunity facing the channel? Driving my McLaren around town Fassbender; Reality = Stephen Helping organisations to go mission- with the roof down, cigar in mouth and Merchant. critical in the cloud. This year will be the wearing shades. Which tech firm (other than year it goes from a supporting role to the What is the most irritating tech your own!) do you most admire? starring role. To do this, organisations buzzphrase of 2018? ‘GDPR-certified’. Microsoft. Transforming a business on need to build a cloud operating model. What would be your first act if that scale has been a feat to behold over What is your most treasured you were made Prime Minister? the last five years or so. possession? My phone. It’s never Stop Brexit. What is your guiltiest pleasure? far away. What’s the biggest untapped Steven Seagal movies. What do your family think you opportunity facing the channel? What is the most irritating tech do all day? My wife works in IT, so To help customers understand the buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Digital has a reasonable idea. My kids just think known unknowns. transformation’ is one that gets me. It’s I talk on the phone all day. Which is What is your most treasured so ridiculously broad as to lose any real true. Mostly. possession? The aforementioned impact or relevance. Who has been your mentor in orange McLaren 650S. What would be your first act if business? My current boss, Paul What do your family think you you were made Prime Minister? Cosgrave. I have learned more in the do all day? Make other people’s lives Reverse the decline in investment of past few years working for him than in miserable. socially important programmes. Some the previous 20. Who has been your mentor in things cost money to deliver and don’t business? I’ve had many mentors over have a return on investment that is many years. immediately obvious. NHS, disabled employment, local government and so on. What’s the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel? Services is still far too under-utilised within resellers and too much is given away to third parties. Invest in the expertise and do it in-house if it is in a core solution area. What is your most treasured possession? I am really not materialistic or sentimental at all, so don’t really hold any items that dear RICKIE SEHGAL to me to be honest. My wedding ring Chairman, Transputec probably. Tell us something most people What do your family think you do won’t know about you I’m an all day? They have a pretty decent idea. adrenaline junkie for sports such as PAUL SHANNON See customers, spend time with the skiing, parasailing, diving with sharks CEO, ANS Group teams in London and Manchester and and fast cars. Tell us something most people have a lot of meals out (apparently). What has been your highlight of won’t know about you I am a Who has been your mentor in 2018 so far? Industry recognition massive Hip Hop and Country & business? I’ve been incredibly lucky awards for managed services, security Western music fan – the only one in to learn from Scott Fletcher and Paul and crisis management. Warrington, probably. Sweeney (ANS founder and chairman Who would play you in the film What has been your highlight of respectively), but also, I’ve learnt an of your life? A combination of James 2018 so far? Seeing the ANS Group incredible amount from our former Bond and Mr Bean. Public Cloud business unit go from non-exec director, Ian Hogg. He has had Which tech firm (other than being fledgling to the biggest part of our a massive impact on me over the years your own!) do you most admire? services business. and I couldn’t thank him enough.

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seems to be cropping up everywhere. I question whether everyone who is using it can offer as-a-Service; the industry has way too many three-letter acronyms. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? Wow, what a controversial question! I will let other A-Listers deal with serious stuff. I would make it compulsory that all government-funded bodies buy a Terra notebook. What’s the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel? Win 7 Pro – there are still thousands of companies using it and thinking February 2020 is a long way off but the reality is action needs to be taken now and more noise made about it. The opportunity ALICIA SHEPHERD for all manufacturers, not just PC and your life? Emma Stone. Sales director, Terra Computer notebook manufacturers, is enormous. Which tech firm (other than Tell us something most people What is your most treasured your own!) do you most admire? won’t know about you I make a possession? That’s a tricky one as I am always amazed at the startup good lemon cheesecake. Now and again I’m not really sentimental but I guess it community – innovators, disruptors and on birthdays I’m known to make one for would be my Breitling watch. incredible visionaries. the sales team to enjoy – the empty dish What do your family think you What is your guiltiest pleasure? tells me it must be OK. do all day? Talk on the phone and stay Love Island. What has been your highlight in hotels. What is the most irritating tech of 2018 so far? Being asked to join Who has been your mentor in buzzphrase of 2018? “We are fixing the board and being promoted to sales business? I have been fortunate to our diversity, want to come and work director – leading the sales team and work with some great influencers over for us?” developing the culture for a forward- the years and from them have learnt What would be your first act if thinking company has been a privilege. how to do business and perhaps as you were made Prime Minister? Who would play you in the film important in some case how not to do Scrap stamp duty. of your life? Jennifer Lawrence to play business. I aspire to being a mentor What’s the biggest untapped the parts where things have been tough to the future channel execs that I am opportunity facing the channel? and it’s taken a fighting spirit to get fortunate enough to work with today Embrace the up and coming talent through; Amy Schumer for the laughter and hope in years to come I will have that we’re got in startups. Disruptive and humour; and Meryl Streep for the played a role in their growth and technology is the key to digital rest of it – now that would be one hell development. transformation – so grab it while it’s of a film. fresh and new. Which tech firm (other than What is your most treasured your own!) do you most admire? SARAH SHIELDS possession? My kids. Virgin Galactic, pushing limits, pushing Vice president EMEA enterprise What do your family think you do boundaries and reaching for the stars. channel, Dell EMC all day? Apparently, my kids think I am What is your guiltiest pleasure? Tell us something most people on the phone all day. I am paid to be on Liquorice Allsorts – the coconut rings won’t know about you I used to be the phone and boss people about. are the best. I’m always in trouble at a diving instructor. Who has been your mentor in home for opening bags of them and What has been your highlight business? I have to say, I will always eating the ones I like and leaving the of 2018 so far? Going 100 per cent treasure my time working with Tim others. device free for two weeks for our Griffin. He’s a legend and an awesome What is the most irritating tech family holiday. leader. He’s given me great advice and buzzphrase of 2018? ‘aaS’ – it Who would play you in the film of will always be someone I trust.

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THEIR LIVES IN WHOSE HANDS?

While Leo polled highest, it’s clear some of our male A-Listers see themselves as action men, with Daniel Craig and Tom Hardy polling four votes each. Strong women such as Meryl Streep and Reece Witherspoon also featured more than once. Other suggestions ranged from the sublime – Sir Patrick Stewart – to the ridiculous (but perhaps accurate): Mr Bean and Baloo.

Best of the rest Ray Winstone, Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, Danny DeVito, Drew Barrymore, Harrison Ford, Idris Elba, Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Colin Firth, Courteney Cox, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Gary Oldham, Harry Potter, Jason Statham, Jennifer see Leonardo DiCaprio Lawrence, Joanna Lumley, Kirk from Corrie, 6 as their movie sub Victor Meldrew, Warwick Davis recognition they deserve by winning two concept behind the term is new. prestigious industry awards. What would be your first Who would play you in the film of act if you were made Prime your life? Emma Thompson – she has Minister? Look at ways to support the successfully managed to stand the test of regeneration of town centres across the time which is no mean feat for a female UK as a way of improving people’s sense actor. She knows her own mind, voices of community. her opinions effectively but doesn’t take What’s the biggest untapped herself too seriously. opportunity facing the channel? Which tech firm (other than your Earlier adoption of new technologies own!) do you most admire? I really to ensure that the channel is seen as don’t want to single out one particular the most important route to the end company but I do admire some of the customer. older tech firms that have been able to What is your most treasured anticipate change in the market, adapt possession? Photographs of my three their customer offering to ensure they daughters which remind me of the JANE SILK remain relevant while at the same time impact we can all have on the future. Managing director, Sigma re-shaping their organisational structure What do your family think you do Software Distribution to support change. all day? Talk a lot. Tell us something most people What is your guiltiest pleasure? Who has been your mentor in won’t know about you I used to run Jaffa Cakes and a good book in a totally business? My most constant mentor and part-own a food-led, 13th Century empty house. has probably been my husband, whose inn on Dartmoor. What is the most irritating tech own career experiences in a totally What has been your highlight buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Sticky’. It’s not different industry have enabled him to of 2018 so far? Witnessing my specifically a 2018 phrase but I hear it be a great sounding board for me over

highly talented marketing team get the being used all of the time as though the the years. Roberto Rizzato/Flickr

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and one when I first joined civilian life. living in poverty in the UK, yet so much While totally different circumstances, is wasted by supermarkets alone on a both taught me to believe in what I did, daily basis. trust my instincts and build strong teams. What’s the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel? The cybersecurity market still has a lot more potential in it. What is your most treasured possession? My son, Thom. What do your family think you do all day? My son thinks I run the whole of BT and that we have parties in the office all the time. Who has been your mentor in ROB SIMS business? I’ve been lucky enough to Director for strategy & business have a number of mentors in my career transformation, Elite Group but one who stands out is Jamie Ford Tell us something most people who I worked with for a number of years. won’t know about you I’m actually HELEN SLINGER a really nice guy. Director, BT Business Direct What has been your highlight Tell us something most people of 2018 so far? Personally, getting won’t know about you I drove a married to the love of my life. horse and carriage for weddings when I Professionally, the big steps forward our was younger. business is making. What has been your highlight of Who would play you in the film of 2018 so far? Seeing our education your life? Daniel Craig... obviously. proposition come together and the real Which tech firm (other than impact that it’s having in the classroom. your own!) do you most admire? Who would play you in the film Amazon – hitting a trillion dollar value of your life? Oh that’s a tough one. I’ll from selling books! say Audrey Hepburn. She looks and acts What is your guiltiest pleasure? nothing like me but I’ve always admired Burning money on cars. her and it would be the only time that GRAHAME SMEE What is the most irritating my mum would approve of my dress Managing director, 4SEC Group tech buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Data sense and style! Tell us something most people architects’ (aren’t they data admins?) Which tech firm (other than your won’t know about you I coach What would be your first act if own!) do you most admire? Cisco running from beginners to club level. you were made Prime Minister? Meraki. What it sells could be seen as What has been your highlight of Increase entrepreneur relief to fuel the complex yet the way it has taken it to 2018 so far? The FIFA World Cup. I lifeblood of the country. market really demonstrates the solution genuinely felt good about the England What’s the biggest untapped in a simplistic yet powerful way. team for a while. opportunity facing the channel? What is your guiltiest pleasure? Who would play you in the film of Balancing the demand for ever- Handbags and watching trash TV. your life? Daniel Craig. increasing levels of service across more What is the most irritating tech Which tech firm (other than complex products with reducing prices. buzzphrase of 2018? It’s not strictly your own!) do you most admire? What is your most treasured a tech buzzphrase but it’s got to be Apple. Everyone uses or has used its possession? My dad’s watch. ‘Think outside the box’ – forget the box, technology. What do your family think you do just think. What is your guiltiest pleasure? all day? Eat, drink and be merry. What would be your first act if Gluten Free Hobnobs. Who has been your mentor in you were made Prime Minister? What is the most irritating tech business? I have been lucky enough to I’d do something to eliminate food buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Ping me’. Call have two key mentors, one in the Army poverty. There are four million children me or email me, but never ping me.

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What would be your first act if What would be your first act if the way it continues to generate profit you were made Prime Minister? you were made Prime Minister? and shareholder value, year after year, A huge investment to support technical Really clamp down on street crime with is admirable. The culture is much the innovation. far tougher consequences. same as it was when I joined in 1997, What’s the biggest untapped What’s the biggest untapped which for a company that has grown opportunity facing the channel? opportunity facing the channel? from £12m then to £650m now says a lot Blockchain technology. Expansion of added services with about the leadership team and longevity What is your most treasured existing clients. of the employees. possession? My vinyl record collection. What is your most treasured What is your guiltiest pleasure? What do your family think you do possession? My wife and family. I like ABBA – there, I’ve said it. all day? Drink coffee on trains. What do your family think you do What is the most irritating tech Who has been your mentor in all day? Nothing. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Consumption’. business? No single one, but many Who has been your mentor in What would be your first act if along the way. business? GE’s Jack Welch. you were made Prime Minister? Free Wi-Fi everywhere for everyone. What’s the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel? Better whitespace management – selling more to existing customers. It’s always the same. What is your most treasured possession? My iPhone. What do your family think you do all day? Fix printers. Who has been your mentor in business? It would be a mix of some of the 1997 Bytes leadership team, specifically Neil Murphy, Keith Richardson, Simon Ognall and Shaun Frohlich. I have attributes of all of them DARREN SPENCE in me and still keep in touch with them Managing director, Boost today. Great bunch! MARK J SMYTH Technology Group Chief operating officer, Vision Tell us something most people Tell us something most people won’t know about you My school won’t know about you I have mates call me Mac. It started with Barron climbed the Three Peaks, twice. (rhymes with Darren – I was 12 at the What has been your highlight of time), then Barron MacLaren, then 2018 so far? Market consolidation MacLaren, then Mac. I know, right! Boys! opportunities and some great new What has been your highlight business wins. of 2018 so far? Our sales training Who would play you in the film division (Boost Training) won the Best of your life? Russell Crowe in A Sales Coaching Award at the Sales Good Year. Innovation Expo. Which tech firm (other than your Who would play you in the film of own!) do you most admire? HP, your life? Tony Robinson – he’s always they have reinvented (ha ha). got a cunning plan. DAVE STEVINSON What is your guiltiest pleasure? Which tech firm (other than your Managing director, QBS Software Wine. own!) do you most admire? Bytes. Tell us something most people What is the most irritating tech I worked there for 17 years and ran won’t know about you My house buzzphrase of 2018? ‘AI’, ‘GDPR’, one of their operations as managing burnt down when I was 10 and I lost ‘IoT’ and generally tech acronyms. director for four so I am biased, but every single possession.

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What has been your highlight of opportunity facing the channel? 2018 so far? Beating Prince Edward In an industry that moves and changes 6-4 at tennis in May. as quickly as ours does, there are always Who would play you in the film new opportunities. Right now, anything of your life? Damian Lewis. He seems around data, security, compliance and a decent chap and he is one day older analytics are all huge opportunities. If you than me. add on AI, machine learning and IoT, the Which tech firm (other than your opportunities are only going to continue own!) do you most admire? I am to grow and change. Importantly though, still impressed with Tesla. It takes big all of these things are difficult and for positions and will change an industry. most businesses they may want to take What is your guiltiest pleasure? advantage of them but are unlikely to Giggling uncontrollably while reading have internal skills they need. PG Wodehouse. What is your most treasured What is the most irritating tech possession? I’m not sure I have one, buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Disruptive’, life’s not really about things. particularly when the feature or product related, the continued evolution of the What do your family think you under discussion is far from disruptive. data industry continues to be a highlight; do all day? I’m not sure they know. A What would be your first act if how we use data and what we can start to couple of years ago my son did a week you were made Prime Minister? do with it continues to fascinate. I’m still of work experience with me – it was Immediately resign. I have absolutely no always surprised and flattered that people coming up to Christmas and it was just desire to work in politics at any level. read my blog and listen to my podcast – one of those weeks, where it was a mix What’s the biggest untapped so that’s always a highlight. of meetings and going to Christmas opportunity facing the channel? Who would play you in the film dinners. I think that’s probably what In my opinion it is RPA (Robotic Process of your life? Adam Driver, not for they think I do for a living. Automation). any other reason than he’s quickly Who has been your mentor in What is your most treasured becoming my favourite actor and really business? I’ve learned from lots possession? My lifetime collection of enjoy watching him on screen – so if of people. I’ve worked with my CEO books, photos and notes. someone’s playing me, I should at least for 20 years and learned a lot from What do your family think you enjoy watching them do it. him, but also a range of people in the do all day? Quite simply march from Which tech firm (other than your industry who have all helped shape the meeting to meeting, send emails and own!) do you most admire? It’s not way I try to work and involve myself in make phone calls. just one, but those companies who are community. The tech business is great Who has been your mentor in able to see a shift in technology trends for that; there are a whole load of people business? I have never had a formal and rather than deny them, embrace to help you develop your career in mentor but I have been privileged to them as a cornerstone of their strategy. whichever way you want – just ask. have learnt so much from so many Microsoft is a great example of this; the suppliers, customers and competitors. change in the last five years is incredible and should be admired. MARC SUMNER What is your guiltiest pleasure? CE0 & founder, Robertson PAUL STRINGFELLOW There’s no such thing – if you enjoy it, Sumner Technical director, Gardner there is nothing to be guilty of (within Tell us something most people Systems reason). won’t know about you After Tell us something most people What is the most irritating tech competing in CRN Fight Night last won’t know about you I’m not sure buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Let me show year, I’ve had two further ‘White if there is much, but I did once play Baz, you how I’ll solve your GDPR problem Collar’ boxing fights. I’ve got the the bully in Adrian Mole, and yes it was with my…’ boxing bug now. a musical version and yes, I did ‘sing’… What would be your first act if What has been your highlight of well, spoke to music at least! you were made Prime Minister? 2018 so far? Being shortlisted for CRN What has been your highlight of Two-fold: stop the Brexit folly and ban Channel Service Provider of the Year. 2018 so far? Liverpool’s Champions reality TV. Fingers crossed we win! League run was fabulous fun. Tech- What’s the biggest untapped Who would play you in the film

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and reputation. Outside work it’s my family and golf clubs! What do your family think you do all day? My three sons know exactly what I do. My wife has no idea. Who has been your mentor in business? Bill Driscoll, who I started to work with in 1994 when he was MD of SNSL. He was a pipe smoker, and every suck on his pipe would be followed by a pearl of wisdom. He was a great sounding board and had impeccable timing – always asking the perfect question at the perfect time, and BOB SWALLOW more often than not, already knowing Managing director, Logicalis UK the answer. I learned a lot from his Tell us something most people interview technique – he was always won’t know about you My favourite interested in how the candidate might fit film is Kelly’s Heroes. This has had no into the business. bearing on my approach in business, I assure you. of your life? Jason Statham, because What has been your highlight of T he’s a slightly less good looking version 2018 so far? Becoming a grandad for of me. the first time. And the second time. And Which tech firm (other than the third time! your own!) do you most admire? Who would play you in the film LinkedIn – it carved a niche in of your life? Tom Hanks (if he put the market and has made business some weight on) but more likely Ray networking easier and more productive Winstone. than anything that came before it. Great Which tech firm (other than move by Microsoft to buy it. your own!) do you most admire? What is your guiltiest pleasure? Siemens – an established, quality brand Pick and mix sweets. that is able to command premium What is the most irritating tech pricing for its solutions. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘GDPR’. What is your guiltiest pleasure? What would be your first act if Ice cream. you were made Prime Minister? What is the most irritating tech ALEX TATHAM Cancel Brexit. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Big data’. Data Managing director, Westcoast What’s the biggest untapped is data. Tell us something most people opportunity facing the channel? What would be your first act if won’t know about you Seventeen Talent. There is a huge opportunity to you were made Prime Minister? million people watched my wedding to get new talent into our industry and Simplify the tax system. Sue, No.2 from the West Midlands. create a modern, flexible workforce. What’s the biggest untapped What has been your highlight of What is your most treasured opportunity facing the channel? 2018 so far? It must be that Westcoast possession? Robertson Sumner Ltd Development of talent – including is doing so well – evidenced by us now – my baby! apprentices and graduates. There’s so becoming the largest privately owned What do your family think you do much opportunity to move around that business in the Thames Valley for the all day? Sit in the pub reading CVs. if you don’t invest in your staff, someone first time and 21st in the Sunday Times Who has been your mentor in else will. Top Track. business? My Aunty Shelagh – she What is your most treasured Who would play you in the film got me into recruitment and owned a possession? My most treasured of your life? Ben Affleck – have you successful recruitment company. possession in business is my integrity seen him in The Accountant (auditing

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with violence!); he is a superhero and is getting a little fatter these days! Which tech firm (other than your own!) do you most admire? As a competitor, it would be hard to look beyond Also in Europe – progressive, energetic and a great partner too. I love businesses that change the world for the better – Apple has changed my world. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Taskmaster on Dave. Ballz on my iPhone! What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018? “We can’t do that!” – yes you can! What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? IAN THOMASON Ban TCP (or making it odourless). Founder & managing director, What’s the biggest untapped Explorer UK opportunity facing the channel? your own!) do you most admire? Tell us something most people Too many to mention – but the IT Microsoft, because it’s not new, because won’t know about you I put myself channel should take its capability it got very lost and then because it found back through IT courses every so often. and efficiency to other areas of their itself and its customers again. What has been your highlight of customers’ businesses. What is your guiltiest pleasure? 2018 so far? Putting some big asks What is your most treasured Gillette Soccer Saturday – Jeff Stelling on my leadership team and seeing possession? Emily and Charlie rules. them flourish. Tatham – less of a possession these days! What is the most irritating tech Who would play you in the film But treasured none the less. Outside buzzphrase of 2018? I’m not sure if of your life? Benedict Cumberbatch family – my top hat. it’s from 2018, but ‘gamification’ sounds (I wish!) What do your family think you do like a Bruce Forsyth lost show video. Which tech firm (other than your all day? Meetings, dress up, ring the What would be your first act if own!) do you most admire? I met bell, drinks, sell, enthuse – err, that IS you were made Prime Minister? with the CEO of Kobalt Music, Willard what I do! Make it mandatory that every MP had Ahdritz, who was very inspirational as Who has been your mentor in to have at least 20 years working and a disrupter in an established and business? James Wickes, MD of Ideal paying taxes in the private or public archaic industry. Hardware – he saw something in me sector first. No professional politicians What is your guiltiest pleasure? that I hadn’t in myself. And Jane Green straight from college or university. Then An expensive single malt Scotch whiskey. of EY – “There is no problem in business call another snap election. What is the most irritating tech that is too big to fix.” What’s the biggest untapped buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Cloud’ is the opportunity facing the channel? answer to everything (said by someone Integrating AI with your partners end to who has no idea). ADRIAN THIRKILL end – seamless efficiency. What would be your first act if CEO, GCI What is your most treasured you were made Prime Minister? Tell us something most people possession? My sense of humour. Re-run the Brexit referendum, now won’t know about you I love to What do your family think you people have some idea what it means for cook and bake bread by hand. do all day? Make stuff up, put it on the UK. What has been your highlight of PowerPoint and then talk and talk until What’s the biggest untapped 2018 so far? The successful investment people give in and agree with me. opportunity facing the channel? in GCI by Mayfair Equity, becoming our Who has been your mentor in Cloud and GDPR have been pushed so largest shareholder. business? Lakh Jemmett, the MD hard that some companies have jumped Who would play you in the film of at Colt was a brilliant visionary as was but others just developed lockjaw and your life? Simon Pegg. David Rowe who started and created need someone to help them. Which tech firm (other than Easynet. What is your most treasured

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possession? My motorbike (a mint don’t understand it as the answer to just What has been your highlight Ducati 1098s). about everything transactional but at the of 2018 so far? We got a new What do your family think you moment is just too complex. puppy last month – she is very social do all day? My wife used to work for What would be your first act if media savvy and already has her own Siemens so she gets it. My kids just you were made Prime Minister? Instagram account. think I get everyone else to do all the Abolish caravans from the road. Who would play you in the film of hard work but then wonder why I work What’s the biggest untapped your life? Indiana Jones. the hours I do. opportunity facing the channel? Which tech firm (other than Who has been your mentor in Brexit. While it is also a big risk there your own!) do you most admire? business? When I worked for a must be some opportunity… somewhere. I recently met Managed 24/7’s John vendor, the best person I ever met What is your most treasured Pepper. I was impressed with the running a focused VAR was Eric Korb possession? My 1961 series 1 Jaguar ethos of the business and how quickly – his company was called Xecute! In E Type roadster. they had built a quality service offering New York. What do your family think you do from scratch. all day? My late mother-in-law used to What is your guiltiest pleasure? tell everyone I counted paper clips. Taking time out to play golf. Who has been your mentor in What is the most irritating tech business? Robert Dover – former buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Serverless chief exec of Jaguar Land Rover and architecture’ – a complete misnomer! Aston Martin, among others. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? Resign – who needs that stress in their life? But maybe a weekend in Chequers first, and on my way out bash a few heads to encourage that the UK is presented in a more positive light, particularly around the strengths our businesses have. What’s the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel? KEVIN TIMMS If I knew that I would be tapping into CEO, EACS it – probably the opportunity to mature Tell us something most people the SME/mid-market outsource arena won’t know about you I have a small and package the cloud offerings that collection of classic cars and motorbikes. are already there in a more relevant and What has been your highlight of saleable fashion. 2018 so far? From a work perspective, What is your most treasured it is our acquisition of Sentronex possession? My family – too twee! (London-based MSP). OK, my golf clubs... actually they should Who would play you in the film PAUL TIMMS be first. of your life? While we would all like Managing director, MCSA What do your family think you do to think it would be someone like Tom Tell us something most people all day? Chat, have a few meetings and Cruise, I think it would be Colin Firth. won’t know about you When I then play golf. Which tech firm (other than your was 15 I represented the UK in Japan Who has been your mentor in own!) do you most admire? Our and Korea as part of the 1991 Scout business? The influences have been next acquisition, because it is our next Jamboree – an amazing experience many and varied over the years, but acquisition. where I met people from across the my dad has been the most important What is your guiltiest pleasure? globe in a culture that was so alien. The individual, the founder and now Cake. I like cake. trip really made me appreciate what chairman of the company. He is still What is the most irritating tech people can achieve together when faced available when I need a sounding board buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Blockchain’ – with challenges far outside of their – I am very grateful to have had him as a technology that is seen by many that normal comfort zone. a role model.

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for our industry and also protecting individuals’ information. For me it’s got to be ‘blockchain’ – everyone seems to want to have it mentioned somewhere on their website or on their LinkedIn pages, and I think half the people who mention it don’t understand the technology. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? Investing money to help all SMEs work towards achieving Cyber Essentials to help reduce the number of cyber incidents we’re seeing as a country. What’s the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel? Security for SMEs – as MSPs we’re PAUL TOMLINSON all looking at options on how we can the industry have helped me raise Managing director, Mirus protect our customers but I’ve not around £40k to fund the development Tell us something most people seen anyone delivering IT support and of schools, accommodation, agriculture won’t know about you I’ve been security services well. Through 2019 we and other life-enhancing initiatives. taking people on mountain walks want to be the MSP to do this. What has been your highlight through the UK for the last 20-plus What is your most treasured of 2018 so far? Joining Softcat years. I’m now working towards possession? My walking boots. and specifically our kick off event in completing my Mountain Leader They’re about 15 years old but have Birmingham. Qualification. taken me on some great adventures Who would play you in the film of What has been your highlight of and allowed me to complete lots of your life? Kenny Dalglish. 2018 so far? For me as an individual challenges over that time with family, Which tech firm (other than your it was passing my CISSP qualification. friends and of course the Mirus team. own!) do you most admire? That’s Wow, that was a tough exam! For the What do your family think you a tough one. I think Microsoft has to be business achieving £10m turnover do all day? Send emails. To be honest right up there. It has re-engineered itself alongside growing the business to more it’s not far from the truth, although I and its channel so effectively after some than 100 staff. am trying to use the phone much more dark days. It started when Satya replaced Who would play you in the film rather than rely on email. Steve B. of your life? That’s a hard one – my Who has been your mentor in What is your guiltiest pleasure? life isn’t very interesting so I’m sure it’d business? I’ve never really had a The short drive to the tube station when be an unknown actor. I’m pretty certain mentor as such. My management team I commute to our London office. It is there are a few middle aged, slightly are great though and we’ve got a great only a very short walk but… overweight, bald, out of work actors to open relationship – if a decision I make is What is the most irritating tech choose from! wrong, they’ll happily pull me up on it. buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Pivoting’ – Which tech firm (other than your everyone is doing it but no one knows own!) do you most admire? Air IT. what is really means. Todd, James and the team all do a great W What would be your first act if job when it comes to service delivery you were made Prime Minister? and we’ve also always admired their GRAEME WATT Have another referendum on whether approach to marketing. CEO, Softcat we should remain in the EU. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Tell us something most people What’s the biggest untapped Curry! I absolutely love curry. won’t know about you I actively opportunity facing the channel? What is the most irritating tech support an Indian charity in a small Financing – the car industry sells buzzphrase of 2018? Pre-25 May, village called Churachandpur in financing as standard and there is so I think most would say ‘GDPR’ but to Manipur State, North East India. much opportunity to replicate in the be honest I think that’s been a blessing Friends and family inside and outside channel.

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What is your most treasured What’s the biggest untapped What’s the biggest untapped possession? My Golf R – it’s like a go opportunity facing the channel? opportunity facing the channel? kart on steroids. IoT and the cloud are door openers Internet of Things – customer What do your family think you do to the real prize that comes from experience solutions that evolve with all day? Hospitality. collaborative solutions to business developing technologies. Who has been your mentor in issues. As we deliver more efficient What is your most treasured business? Mark Mulford – sadly and effective solutions the market will possession? I don’t really treasure deceased. He was one of the kindest continue to expand. possessions like that – my own and most understated man I have met What is your most treasured memories of experiences with people I in terms of the positive impact he had possession? Family pictures. love are more important than ‘stuff’. on me and others. He taught me in What do your family think you do What do your family think you do subtle ways such that I didn’t realise his all day? Talk a lot. all day? Look at my email and work. positive influence until many years later. Who has been your mentor in business? Various people ranging from local, female business leaders to professional executive coaches. We need different mentors for different challenges so it would be unfair to single out one.

LORRIN WHITE Managing director, Bamboo DAVID WATTS Technology Group Managing director, UK&I, Tell us something most people Tech Data won’t know about you I am Tell us something most people frightened of birds. ANGELA WHITTY won’t know about you I worked What has been your highlight of Managing director for partner for quite a few years for the Prison 2018 so far? Watching my daughter sales, Cisco UK & Ireland Psychology Service – surprisingly very collect her first-class honours. Tell us something most people handy in this industry. Who would play you in the film of won’t know about you Christmas is Who would play you in the film your life? Joanna Lumley – can’t take my favourite time of year – I am really of your life? My wife has suggested myself too seriously! very sentimental. George Clooney. This is not the first Which tech firm (other than your What has been your highlight of time his name has come up. own!) do you most admire? There 2018 so far? Cisco’s sponsorship of the Which tech firm (other than your are too many companies out there that WIC and CRN Awards. Exciting times! own!) do you most admire? All of make me go ‘wow’ to name just one. Who would play you in the film Tech Data’s vendors for choosing such a What is your guiltiest pleasure? of your life? Bit young but Drew good distribution partner. Plastic cheese. Yes, the orange plastic Barrymore. One of my favourites for her What is your guiltiest pleasure? slices that you put in burgers that aren’t versatility and she’s funny. Meditation retreats. They’re difficult to really cheese. Which tech firm (other than your prioritise with busy work and home but What would be your first act if own!) do you most admire? Aside it’s good for the soul. you were made Prime Minister? from Cisco, to be honest I would be What would be your first act if I would make it statute that everyone hard pushed to choose one! you were made Prime Minister? should have their birthday as a holiday What is your guiltiest pleasure? Resign. There are better people. from work. Lauren Perrier Rose.

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What is the most irritating tech 2018 so far? I’m going to say all of it. buzzphrase of 2018? Not especially We are enjoying our best-ever year at one from this year, but I’d go with Concorde, so long may it continue plus ‘in layman’s terms’, followed by an the family holiday to Caribbean this year explanation that is anything but. was most enjoyable. What would be your first act if Who would play you in the film of you were made Prime Minister? A your life? Probably Adam Sandler. four-day week with five days’ pay. Which tech firm (other than What’s the biggest untapped your own!) do you most opportunity facing the channel? admire? I have a great deal of Talent! Harnessing diverse skills from admiration for Computacenter on how other industries to supplement what they have continually set the standard we have. within the channel, but also ANS in What is your most treasured Manchester on how they have re- possession? My two boys. engineered their business and stuck What do your family think you do firmly with their strategy of working all day? I think my sons believe I spend with strategic partners. all my time doing social activities – What is your guiltiest pleasure? lunches, dinners and golf! I play too much golf. Who has been your mentor in What is the most irritating tech ANDY WRIGHT business? Without sounding cheesy, buzzphrase of 2018? I am going to Commercial director, XMA my dad taught me three things that still say ‘Internet of Things’ – is that really Tell us something most people ring true today: how to shake hands the best we could do? won’t know about you I carried the properly; treat company money like it’s What would be your first act if Olympic Torch in 2012. your own; and remember where you you were made Prime Minister? What has been your highlight of came from. I would sort this Brexit fiasco out 2018 so far? Turning 50 – which I will one way or another. We have a huge be by the time this is published. opportunity to forge our own way in the Who would play you in the film of world and build a bright future for our your life? Ryan Reynolds – you must children but our politicians are doing an be able to see the resemblance? exceptionally poor job at the moment. Which tech firm (other than What’s the biggest untapped your own!) do you most admire? opportunity facing the channel? I Computacenter and SCC, because of still feel with connectivity prices falling how long they have been at the top of and bandwidth increasing, and with their game and their enduring ability to the amount of data we are producing kept adapting their businesses. continually increasing, I feel we have What is your guiltiest pleasure? only scratched the surface with what we Chocolate – and I don’t care what sort. can achieve with the cloud and it still What is the most irritating tech has a lot of unharnessed opportunity buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Pivot’. I spent a for businesses and managed service week in the US and everyone was busy providers also. pivoting their business, their product MATTHEW WOOD What is your most treasured portfolio, their channel programmes and Group sales director, Concorde possession? Well as I get a little older anything else that they could get their Technology Group I am going to say my health is far too hands on. Tell us something most people easy to ignore. What would be your first act if won’t know about you I am a season What do your family think you do you were made Prime Minister? ticket holder at Manchester City and I all day? My kids are pretty switched Ask for a recount – I would make a once swam with great white sharks in on, they don’t miss too much. terrible PM. Hout Bay, South Africa. I believe it stands Who has been your mentor in What’s the biggest untapped me in good stead in day-to-day business! business? I haven’t had one of those – opportunity facing the channel? What has been your highlight of maybe I should look in to getting one? Fixing the lack of diversity and inclusion.

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We are a people-driven industry. We What has been your highlight of the commercial sector need to do a lot must diversify to be the best we can for 2018 so far? There have been so many more to solve this issue. I would also ban our customers. it’s hard to pick just one. Our fourth those little sachets of sauce you get at What is your most treasured office move in two and a half years was fish and chip shops. possession? My health. a great milestone. The successful launch What’s the biggest untapped What do your family think you do of our MSP Partner Programme – opportunity facing the channel? all day? Drink coffee and give orders, ZED – and onboarding our 800th MSP The MSP sector is seeing exponential before heading out for dinner. customer were also big moments for us. growth and I feel that this is by far the Who has been your mentor in Who would play you in the film biggest white snow opportunity for the business? My dad. He taught me to of your life? Leonardo DiCaprio did channel. Even though the mass exodus work hard, be honest and respect a great job with the Wolf of Wall Street. to the cloud has been underway for quite other people. I think he could definitely pull off ‘The some time – making SaaS a much easier Wolf of Warrington’ as a follow up. The option – there are still a high number Lancashire accent would also need to be of vendors that don’t tick the boxes for Y in there to add even more glamour. MSPs, and the same goes for resellers Which tech firm (other than your who still have a product-only strategy. own!) do you most admire? The What is your most treasured first time I used Uber I was in London, possession? I’ve spent the last two and within 10 seconds of requesting years planning and building a rock a car, a Toyota Prius silently sidled up garden behind my house, although it’s next to me. I thought that was amazing the kind of thing that should only have and I continue to be impressed by the taken a weekend. I’m working hard to simplicity and convenience of the service. keep it looking nice. My wife would tell What is your guiltiest pleasure? you it isn’t finished yet, but it is finished I have two: food and motorbikes. – it’s simply just a minimalist design. When you have had a busy day at work What do your family think you sometimes the last thing you want to do do all day? They have absolutely is start cooking when you get home and no idea. They know it’s ‘something so Just Eat (another favourite technology with computers’ and that I have my company) does tend to get overused. own business. However, if you asked I’ve also just passed the one-year mark them what my company is called, they as a motorbike rider and so now I’m in probably wouldn’t be able to tell you. To the process of upgrading to something be honest, I gave up trying to explain it bigger and faster and of course, quite some time ago. motorbikes don’t come cheap. Who has been your mentor in What is the most irritating tech business? Divyesh Lakhani has been RICK YATES buzzphrase of 2018? ‘Bleeding edge’ my mentor and business partner for Managing director, Zedsphere is one that I keep coming across and the last five years. He previously owned Tell us something most people although I know it means brand-new and ran a very successful distribution won’t know about you I’m not or cutting-edge, it does take a step into business – Codework – before it was actually from the channel. Many vagueness and I also can’t help but think acquired in 2010 by Altimate, which was distribution business owners have spent of a bloodied knife that’s been used as in turn then acquired by Arrow ECS in at least 10-15 years in the channel before a murder weapon on some hardcore 2013. Divyesh’s willingness to transfer setting up or leading their own business. Netflix docudrama. his knowledge certainly enabled me to My first job in the channel was as an What would be your first act if make the quick entry into distribution owner of a distribution company. This you were made Prime Minister? business ownership that I mentioned. meant the learning curve was incredibly I would create an extensive programme It has also provided me with a good steep for me but it has also allowed me to try and resolve the mental health understanding of where the channel to bring successful techniques from crisis. There are hundreds of thousands has come from over last 20 years and other industries into our company and of people in the UK who are struggling so encouraged me to try and build a distinguish ourselves as a disruptive to access the appropriate support via the disruptive MSP focused distribution brand in the sector. NHS and I think our government and brand with Zedsphere.

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