01732 759725
40
60 SECONDS...
60
seconds...
with Graham Hunter,
VP Certification and Skills,
at CompTIA, the global IT trade association
What’s currently having the greatest
impact on your business?
In the UK, I’d say it’s Apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships are an excellent way to
bridge the skills gap and we know that
there’s not enough skilled IT professionals
to fill growing industry demand, so getting
out the message that companies can take
someone who is unskilled and develop
them into the right candidate for their
business is key. The focus has to be on
giving the learner the best start in their
career and we believe giving them an
internationally recognised certification
alongside their Apprenticeship is the best
way of keeping their skills current.
Otherwise, it’s the bun fight for people
with Cyber Security skills; we just can’t
train and certify people quick enough.
Where do you see the next big
opportunity?
I think IoT and connected devices are
going to play a huge part over the next 5
years – we’ve seen figures of anything from
5 to 30 billion devices by 2020. We still
need to figure out some of the security
implications, but consumer-driven demand
is going to push the initial growth; people
love convenience.
What would make your day job easier?
I think we have a great story to tell; we just
need to get in front of more people to tell
it. If I could have another army of business
development girls and guys then this would
make it easier.
What’s the best bit of business advice
you’ve been given?
Success is about building a smart team
of people around you, giving yourself time
to be strategic, not getting bogged down
in the day-to-day, and networking with key
players in the industry. It’s work in progress,
but I would say we have a smart bunch at
CompTIA.
If you had a crystal ball, would you have
done anything differently?
I feel incredibly lucky to have had the
opportunities I’ve had so far. I would
probably have taken more risks at a
younger age and told myself to be more
confident with my ideas.
Describe your most embarrassing
moment.
It involves an abandoned car, missing flights
and a lot of making up to do with a certain
group of friends. Best leave it at that...
What was your first job?
My first job was as a volunteer sailing instructor
aged 13, though I didn’t see it as a job until I
had done it for a few summers. I was grateful to
have received all of my training for the price of
food and lodgings and I still keep my hand in
now. It has given me some fantastic memories
and huge satisfaction.
What would be your dream job?
Sailing instructor and running my own
lunchtime restaurant, accessible only by boat
of course!
Money’s not an issue, what’s your
perfect car...and where would you like to
drive it?
I really enjoyed owning a Porsche Boxster, but
then my daughter came along, hence the 4x4 on
the drive. So, the pre turbo version of the latest
Boxster and the Lake District, if it stops raining.
Fine dining and good wine, or curry and
a pint?
That is one tough question. As I’ve not been to
see my friend Abdul at Morpeth Tandoori for a
good while, I have to say curry and a pint.
Favourite holiday destination?
Has to be Pollenca on the lovely island of
Mallorca. The north has the dramatic mountains
and the sea is crystal clear.
How do you like to spend your spare time?
I travel right across my region, so getting back
home and spending time with my wife and
daughter is key. We like to get outdoors and
go paddling in our canoe. Otherwise, sneaking
out for an early round of golf or indulging in my
passion for cooking.
Registration is now open for CompTIA’s 2017 EMEA Member and Partner Conference taking
place in London on October 17-18. The two-day event will address the latest technologies,
trends and strategies affecting the IT industry, including the General Data Protection Regulation
(GDPR), growing demand for cloud solutions and ‘as-a-service’ options and emerging tech, such
as artificial intelligence and smart homes and communities.
Photo by Margo Brodowicz
