Antony Byford

MD, Westcon

What has been your personal highlight of 2021?

We are very people-centric at Westcon so getting back together with my team after such a long time out was huge boost, not just to my morale, but also theirs.

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

Jacqueline Gold, CEO of Ann Summers. Retail suffered the hardest when Boris closed the high street at the start of the pandemic. Retailers had no warning or support at that immediate time.

Where most revenues were from bricks and mortar, Jacqueline was quick to accelerate her digital presence, enabling a new wave of sales teams to sell online, keeping the business leading a market which no doubt had a boost with us all working from home.

Which one lockdown habit do you plan to keep going?

Personally, the school run a few times a week. I love the enthusiasm my kids have to learn and seeing them go into the school at the start of the day with beaming smiles is inspiring.

Work, the frequency in which we talk to our people. This accelerated through the pandemic, sharing the plans and providing support at a difficult time and I believe a core contributor to our success showing greater transparency with our people.

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

It goes without saying, the CRN Channel Awards in November. Connecting with friends, partners and colleagues that I've built tremendous relationships with for over 25 years.

It's the event of the year to celebrate the success with the best among us and to enjoy strengthening bonds.

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

Speak another language. It's embarrassing that all my colleagues and peers in Europe can speak so well to me in English but I just about manage to order two beers in Spanish.

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

Buy bitcoin and lots of them!

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

Duran Duran's Hungry Like The Wolf.

Sum 2021 up in three words.

Wash, rinse, repeat.