EVP cyber security, Nuvias
Which tech figurehead do you admire the most?
Bill Hewlett, co-founder of HP. He had a continual desire to inspire and deliver excellence, with a belief that excellence would deliver success. Alongside Dave Packard, he also fashioned the "HP Way", as a structure for mutual respect, teamwork, achievement and integrity, to inspire and build a profitable business. I am still motivated by his principles, albeit with different goals for business achievement.
What's the biggest challenge facing the industry no-one is talking about yet?
Squirrel syndrome. The biggest short-term existential threats that the majority of businesses, including the channel, face are cyber security threats. And there is minimal discussion of how squirrel syndrome, the ability to be easily distracted by the latest bright and shiny item, coupled with the squirrel's legendary inability to make a decision (as witnessed by the amount of squirrel roadkill) affects business capability. Time after time, I see good solid businesses, with good management, failing to take appropriate strategic or even tactical decisions to protect their business, because they have been distracted by bright and shiny cyber security threats, which have been overhyped, in many cases by interested parties.
If you could invite three famous people to dinner, who would they be?
Emil Zatopek for revolutionising middle-distance running while making good friends of all his major rivals, even as he succeeded. I'm sure that he would be a hoot; Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a giant of British engineering and an idol that I would love to meet; Elizabeth Garret Anderson, a pioneering physician, political activist and suffragette, who in the 19th century forced the British Medical Register to accept women doctors. She must have some fascinating stories to tell.
How has 2017 been for you?
A lot busier than I expected or planned. Nuvias' growth has exceeded expectations, and cyber security growth has been a significant component of that. The group's cyber security team and I have been extremely busy launching products across multiple countries.
What's the most extravagant business lunch you've ever had?
Thanks to a great vendor incentive, it was sitting on a yacht in Monaco harbour, on a bright sunny day, with the Formula 1 track six feet away. I was having a great lunch and listening to Felipe Massa describe qualifying just before he headed off for the race.
Which global city best matches your personality?
Glasgow. It's sociable, but certainly not laid back.
What would be your super-hero power?
Time travel. I could do with turning the clock back a bit. I'm too young to be an industry veteran!
Complete this sentence. The worst thing about our rivals is… that too many of them, who I respected, have been acquired and dismantled.
What makes you nervous?
Politicians.
If you could eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Thai food. I love cooking it and I love eating it.
Sum up the channel in three words
Exciting, challenging, appreciative.
