What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
Time off to get out of the city, breath fresh air and recharge the batteries. 2020 is going to be pretty full-on for the charity, and personally, too.

As the decade draws to a close, what trend (business or technology) do you think the 2010s will be remembered for?
The Internet of Things (IoT) has moved from an acronym to a reality in our everyday lives. We are, for better of worse, more connected across pretty much everything we do, from home and leisure to work and business. Our hunger for being able to experience things at pace and across multiple devices, for example, will carry on unabated and I believe there is more to be excited about in the future than feared.

What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in the next decade and why?
Relationships. They are the basis of good business, no matter how advanced that business is or the tech it employs. As technology takes on more of the processes involved in print, the fact remains that people relate to people. And printers must value more the benefit of flexible and adaptable teams. They also need to create a positive culture for their teams. Even though the IoT is unstoppable, ‘printers’, and all sectors, have to be able to interpret and articulate what is possible.

What do you think will represent the single biggest threat for printers in the next decade and why?
It’s hard to say if there is one thing, but as a bit of a catch-all I would say attitude. This comes down to creating the right culture where everyone is valued and supported. The sector must attract and retain good people so it follows that it should project all the positives there are about what it does to support in this aim. I believe that we also should be more mindful the word ‘print’ is misunderstood and not particularly attractive to a young generation. More can be done to show what’s involved in our sector to excite and inspire, not just potential employees but clients and consumers, too. The risk is that we fail to make the sector relevant for all our audiences and stakeholders.

What’s the one thing that the industry should do more of, or do better, in the 2020s?
Marketing itself better and showing what is possible are vital to the future of the sector. What all aspects of the sector are capable of is incredible. It ranges from high-tech to highly creative; from hands-on to future thinking and the art of what’s possible. There is a place for every type of skill and ability but people who don’t work in our sector wouldn’t think of it in that way. It’s a challenge and massive opportunity.

What was your biggest disappointment in the 2010s?
Kindness. It’s subtle but powerful. Don’t you think we have lost this with all the negativity brought about by the ‘B’ word, in our faces, day in and day out? Acts of kindness are catalysts for a better, more tolerant and happy society.

What was your highlight of the decade?
Personally, reaching my half century and celebrating with my closest and most loyal friends and family. I am very lucky. And I have now made enough mistakes to learn from and keep me going for hopefully the next half a century!

Professionally, working in organisations with brilliant people and playing my part in making a difference. Yes, it’s a cliché, but it is also pretty much what my role is about; creating an environment where we can make a difference.

What are your hopes for 2020s?
Other than greater kindness, I hope that society does not become more divisive and fractured, which I guess is the same thing, isn’t it?! In the last half of the 2010s we have lurched toward a propensity for blame and fear. My hope (and belief) is that we can and will move on from that.

We can't believe we're asking this question for the third year running: what is your one-word view on Brexit?
Opportunity…because what’s the alternative?

What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
I am not sure there is one piece of advice but there are people I have worked for and with whom I admire. They generally have the ability to share their vision and bring people with them and are natural communicators with an inquisitive and creative streak that keeps them vital. I try to emulate some of these traits whenever I can.

What if anything will you do differently in the new decade?
I think I am pretty relaxed generally but I could chillax a bit more and celebrate the small things as well as the big. I’d like to make sure I keep connected to what the younger generation are thinking and understand how older people view the world around them. Achieving more of these things will help me personally and professionally.

What is the earliest Christmas present you can remember receiving as a child?
I am a petrol head which must have started at some point and I recall my best presents were Matchbox cars and Top Trumps - you have to be a certain age to know what the latter are, plus, anything with the word ‘trump’ in it now tends to have a different meaning. I also remember getting an LED watch one year which was pretty sci-fi in the 1970s!

Are you making any New Year's resolutions? If so, what?
I am not a big fan of resolutions. The only one I made and stuck to was giving up smoking and that was around 20 years ago. I am happy to have achieved that one so won’t tempt fate by trying any others!