Print.IT Reseller - issue 81

01732 759725 50 AND FINALLY Andy Wilson, Head of Wholesale, CityFibre 60 seconds with… What’s currently having the greatest impact on your business? The undeniable need for greater connectivity and the overwhelming demand we are experiencing. As soon as we talk about building in a new city, the demand and excitement is amazing and we just can’t build fast enough! We currently have 67 build projects underway – 31 of which are in build, 21 with live services and of course we have 28 towns and cities on our metro network already available to our wholesale partners. It’s non-stop! Where do you see the next big opportunity? Let’s focus on the one we have in front of us currently – we have huge industry focus to get to a full fibre enabled UK by 2025. Without that, the ability for us to innovate at scale against other developing countries is far more challenging. For me, we have the next industrial revolution at the tip of our fingers and that is based on the quality of the infrastructure on which it is built. What would make your day job easier? Better fibre connectivity? All joking aside, I live rurally and so working from home means that I need to ensure I get the best possible and most stable solution available. With the recent Government plans around BDUK, my cry for help may have finally been answered. What’s the best bit of business advice you’ve been given? Keep things simple. Don’t over complicate everything, get to the point and just keep things simple. Oh and have fun – business doesn’t need to be boring. We are doing great things in this industry and it’s great to have some fun along the way, with all of the amazing people we work alongside. If you had had a crystal ball, would you have done anything differently? I’d have tried harder not to break my shoulder whilst snowboarding. Ouch! Describe your most embarrassing moment. I think I just have. What was your first job? I was a telesales person for a double glazing company in the summer holidays. First taste of sales. What would be your dream job? I would love to work at some point in one of the sporting industries that are connected to my hobbies. Fine dining and good wine, or curry and a pint? It all depends on the day of the week. I do love a Michelin starred curry house with a great bottle of wine, so maybe you can have both! How do you like to spend your spare time? I love my hobbies. Mountain biking in particular. But, I love being outside - walking, running, cycling and luckily for me my family all love it too. We’re so lucky that we can all do those things together. Just getting as far away from the laptop as possible and in the fresh air, up a mountain or in a forest. Money’s not an issue, what’s your perfect car… and where would you like to drive it? Sad to say it would be something completely silly and impractical. A McLaren Senna or something equally silly, oooh or a Group B rally car from the 80s - again not something my neighbours would appreciate. I have to confess I’m a petrol head, so I could talk for a long time on this as I have a perfect ten car garage already lined up in my head. Favourite holiday destination? Depends on time of year. I love the Alps and all snowy mountains but I also have a love for luxury in Dubai and the UK is a favourite of the family too. Surfing in Cornwall or walking in Scotland, so much to do. This year has been a change to all that, so we have explored so much more of what is on offer locally and we’ve discovered that in the UK we really don’t have to travel very far to be in a lovely place. Andy Wilson