IT Week staff

What does your job entail?
I oversee internal IT support at the organisation and that of our managed services.

How did you get into the IT profession?
I’ve been interested in computing since my childhood, when I got my first computer – a Sinclair ZX81. I was amazed when I discovered that something so interesting could be done for a living.

What was your first job?
My first full-time job was as a software developer, programming warehouse stock control systems for MS-DOS.

Who is or has been the most influential IT vendor?
Love them or loathe them, Microsoft has changed the way IT is delivered, perceived and accepted by the public.

Who do you most admire in the industry?
The late Jon Postel, for his work on internet RFC standards. Without people like him, the interoperability that makes the internet what it is might not have happened.

Which technologies do you most rely on outside the office?
VPN and encryption. Because internet access points are practically ubiquitous now, having VPN access keeps me in touch with Smartbunker and my technical teams wherever I happen to be.

Which technology do you think will have the biggest impact on the industry?
Energy efficiency is really important. Reducing total energy consumption will make it easier for finance directors to accept the slightly higher cost of alternative, low- or zero-carbon energy sources. As a power-intensive activity, IT has a big part to play in this. Lower-power CPUs, more efficient cooling systems and good design can greatly increase the energy efficiency of a datacentre.

What keeps you awake at nights?
It’s hard to switch off and forget about work. Even when I’m supposed to be asleep, ideas to make things better or more efficient pop into my head. I usually have to get up and write them down before I can relax again.