Print.IT Reseller - issue 79

01732 759725 50 AND FINALLY Alex Tatham, Managing Director, Westcoast 60 seconds with… What’s currently having the greatest impact on your business? The greatest impact are Westcoast people and the values we have as a business – particularly the team spirit we engender and the unrelenting excellence we demonstrate. We never give up and nothing can stop us. Just look at our warehouse staff throughout the pandemic – heroes, every last one of them. Where do you see the next big opportunity? There are so many opportunities and for an entrepreneurial company like Westcoast, there are no boundaries. What a fabulous place to be the Managing Director – no wonder my targets are huge! To use a Fast Show reference: “Next year, I will be mostly selling Westcoast services and cyber security!” What would make your day job easier? A teleportation device that allows you to be in two places at once! What’s the best bit of business advice you’ve been given? From Jane Green, my managing partner at EY, who said: “In business, there is no problem too big to fix!” This has a calming nature to stressful situations knowing that we can get through anything. If you had had a crystal ball, would you have done anything differently? I would have joined the computer industry earlier and probably in sales. Whilst I value my chartered accountancy qualification, I just love selling. Describe your most embarrassing moment. Joe Hemani walking into an important customer meeting early in my career at Westcoast pretending he was the cleaner. He is actually Westcoast’s owner, founder and chairman. I am not sure how I managed but at least both the customer, Joe and I will never forget it. Alex Tatham What was your first job? Selling men’s pants in Marks & Spencer – employee of the month I have you know! What would be your dream job? Speaker of the House of Commons. Fine dining and good wine, or curry and a pint? I like a fine curry with a pint of Chateauneuf du Pape! How do you like to spend your spare time? Tennis, golf, sailing and family – assuming I have any spare time! Money’s not an issue, what’s your perfect car… and where would you like to drive it? My perfect car would be a Rolls Royce – driven by Claudia Schiffer! Favourite holiday destination? Bembridge in the Isle of Wight.