I joined almost the same day as Brian, so we've spent our firstyear at Nettec together. It's been a crazy year, but brilliant. Inthat time we've grown from 80 to 400 people, acquired and integratedfive businesses (three in Paris), floated on the London StockExchange, opened new offices and a technology centre, and launchednew services for clients. Looking back you can't believe we did itall, but I know we did, because I was there at the time.
As well as working for Brian, I also look after the chairman,Jeremy White, so I'm right in the thick of things, just where I liketo be. Most of my day-to-day work is with Brian, because Jeremytravels extensively. He founded Nettec in 1995, with five people, anddeveloped it into the first integrated e-business solutions providerto list on the LSE. He called the company Nettec to reflect both theinternet and technology
We provide a range of services to our mostly blue-chip clients,from designing and building websites to guiding their e-businessstrategy; from interactive digital television to mobile commerce. Sowe fuse technological, creative and business skills to developcustomers' digital ventures. We've just launched a great servicecalled Vision Lab, unique in the industry. It's a programme, open toany organisation, where we spend up to four weeks helping themdevelop and focus their e-business strategy, in line with their ownvision.
New things come on stream all the time, and it's amazing to seehow the company has changed. As technology develops, so our companydevelops to harness it. Brian is immersed in the e-business world andhe is comfortable with every aspect of it. I understand the broadbrush strokes, and Brian makes sure I know all about our business,but I don't grasp the technology behind it all. Brian has worked inIT all his life - he was managing director at FI Group, spent manyyears at Bull Information Systems, and has worked all over the world -so it's all natural to him.
Brian is a strong leader, something he sees as the preserve of hisScottish nationality. "Just look at Gordon Brown!" he says. Brian ispro-devolution and he loves getting everyone in the office stirred upabout issues. He hasn't come in to work in a kilt yet, but nothingwould surprise me. Mind you, if he did, he could no longer use hisfavourite phrase. When faced with a tough meeting, he'll sayominously: "I think we're going to have a long-trousered discussion."
But Brian is a people person. Yes, of course, the success ofNettec is his first priority, but the team is very important to him.He regularly lunches with small groups of staff, particularly morejunior people who may feel that ordinarily the chief executive is off-limits. But even under extreme pressure with major deadlines looming,I've never known Brian turn anyone away from his office. Sometimes Ihave to go in and gently save him from himself.
I read Brian well now, and I can think ahead for him. I'm alwaysplanning meetings and priorities for him. I make sure his electronicdiary is up to date and I keep on top of all the wonderful thingsyour PC can do to help you. In this industry, you have to. We try tokeep paper down, so everything possible is e-mailed. In the year I'vebeen here, I've hardly ever seen an internal memo with a letterhead.
Brian and I have a relationship that's based on friendship, whichis a real bonus. We talk about his family, my new flat, anything.He's always interested in you. It's not all work, work, work. Hemakes time for life, too. And Brian is like a sponge, always learningand developing, and absorbing information. It doesn't matter what youask him, he'll know something about it, travel, wine, art. He has alarge wine cellar at home and particularly loves red wine. ButBrian's real passion is art. You wouldn't believe that if you methim. He's modest, solid, and consistent but he is an artist.
He paid for himself to go through university by selling hispictures. He's into sculptures including Frank Gehry, and Picasso isone of his heroes. After a mad day, he can go into his workshop andjust paint, and it's very important to him. He's into modern art,with vibrant colours and asymmetric shapes. He showed me digitalpictures of his work recently, and I was amazed. So the staff and Ihave been badgering him to bring some works in for an exhibition atthe office.
It has been an extraordinary year at Nettec, with Brian andJeremy. One thing I've learnt is that you must have a back-up plan.When problems strike, the worst thing you can say is that you don'tknow what to do. My usual answer is, "Don't worry, I've got asolution", even before I have one. Jeremy and Brian rely on me formany things, and I don't think I have let them down yet.
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