5 Minute Interview: Ian Tait, Anite Public Sector

Ian Tait, managing director, Anite Public Sector

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The current potential of the UK technology industry is restricted by the lack of tech and digital talent available. Read through this challenge for the future of UK business and our economy.

Ian Tait, managing director, Anite Public Sector

What is in your pockets?

A bunch of keys, some loose change and a selection of business cards.

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?

Lots of boring things like paying off the mortgage, buying a holiday home somewhere hot and all those extras that I have always wanted. But much to the disappointment of my team, I am not sure that I would retire.

If you could make a voodoo doll of someone, who would it be?

It varies, but normally it would be the last salesman who looked for excuses after failure, rather than grabbing the initiative and finding innovative ways of becoming more successful.

How did you get into the IT industry?

I was stuck on a train in the rush hour and decided there must be a better way to make a living than travelling into London every day to do a job in the City. The IT industry seemed a great alternative, so now I simply spend the rush hour most days stuck in my car on various motorways across the UK.

Who would you most like a date with?

Julia Roberts.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A meteorologist studying hurricanes.

What's your favourite chat-up line?

Providing the lady is attractive, I am prepared to listen to almost any...

What do you do to relax?

I go and hit golf balls. There seems to be a direct correlation between the direction and distance they go and how much I need to relax.

Is there life after death?

I hope so, as it's probably the only chance I'll get to improve my golf handicap.

What's the most daring thing you've ever done?

Becoming a father for the first time was fairly scary.

What's your favourite song and why?

Walk of Life by Dire Straits. I am a great fan and it always cheers me up and makes me look on the positive side of any situation.

What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?

Turning up at the right time, but a day late for a fairly high profile golf match.

What's your favourite place and why?

Port Stanley in the Falklands. I was born there and have great childhood memories.

If you had a dinner party and could invite anyone, dead or alive who would you invite and why?

Ernest Shackleton, Amelia Earhart, Nelson Mandela and Emmeline Pankhurst. I am fascinated by what drives people and what makes people catalysts for fundamental change.

This was last published in August 2002

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