Phil Race

CEO, AdEPT Technology

What has been your business highlight of 2022?

For once it's not a deal win, or a transaction (though we did complete the earn out on our acquisition of Datrix which has proven to be a great decision). The highlight is the creation of a strategic alliance with Canon (UK) that will see AdEPT as its go-to market IT partner, where Canon is taking to market a proposition ‘Canon IT Services, powered by AdEPT'. This is a great endorsement of AdEPT by a global company with a fantastic reputation for quality and innovation.

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

Apart from ensuring Liverpool always win the Premier League, it would be to force all users of social media to be ‘visible' rather than hidden. Social media in all its forms could be such a force for good, but it's become a corrosive and soul-destroying platform underpinning so many of the ills in society.

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

During lockdown it proved extremely helpful to have a CEO network of like-minded individuals to share a virtual gin and tonic with at the end of the day. We were all dealing with massive changes with no playbook to turn to. Andrew Taylor of Gamma and Ioan Macrae of Maintel were a great help during ‘interesting' times!

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

"Caution - always willing to speak his mind!"

What was your first job?

Apart from paper rounds and waiting at table at Kings College in Cambridge, my first proper job was as a trainee engineer at Pye TVT (part of Phillips), a company that made TV studio equipment, outside broadcast vans and transmission technology. During my time there we built the outside broadcast vans for the Mexico football World Cup.

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

The Art of Possibility by Ben & Roz Zander, a good book about inspiring people. I've just finished the Cicero trilogy by Robert Harris, a great read that time travels you back to Roman times.

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

Put as much energy into your home life as you do your work life, otherwise work will take over.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Tom Hanks - an awesome actor whose back catalogue is simply brilliant!