Name: Philip White
Current job: CEO, Syscap
What
was your first ever job? Save for the normal student
part-time employment of a paper-round, and Saturday work in the
local supermarket, my first commercial role was in the property
sector. The scourge of many – I was an estate agent.
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My first foray into the industry was
with a small independent vehicle and office equipment leasing
broker in West London.
Where’s the best place to go
to find out what’s really happening in the office? Outside
of the normal coffee bar gossip the place to go is to Goula, our
head of HR. If she doesn’t know it, it isn’t worth knowing.
How do you get to work each
day? I drive.
What do you do at
weekends? With four active children I am a general taxi
driver, cash point and some time relationship counsellor.
Unfortunately I do fulfil the stereotype of a raving touchline
parent at both rugby and football matches. I do, where possible,
ensure my kids endure the delights of Selhurst Park and watch
Crystal Palace.
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By GlobalDataWhat’s your favourite
restaurant? Too many to mention really, but if I must be
pushed Caprice, Hakasan, Sketch and Benares.
If you weren’t in your current
job, what would you be? Not really thought about it.
Who is your mentor or role
model? Outside the industry there are a few, some from
commerce, others not.
I suppose some of the usual suspects
like Richard Branson who took on the establishment in the Virgin
versus British Airways airline wars and won.
Then I have a few sporting icons such
as Lance Armstrong who battled against adversity to become possibly
one the greatest sporting legends ever.
Within the industry I regularly canvas
opinion and support from legends such as John Brown and Sam
Geneen.
What is the best thing about
your job? It falls into two categories.
Firstly, the diverse nature of the
role, different people, different challenges, and different
opportunities.
Second, and for me most important, is
the team at Syscap. I am privileged to work with some of the best
people in the industry who have incredible qualities and have been
instrumental in the company’s success.
What has been your biggest
mistake at work? Many over the years, none of particular
note that I recall but I’m sure in reading this, many people will
disagree and be ready to remind me otherwise.
What car do you
drive? Depends on which one the kids let me – either a
Mercedes ML, Fiat, or Peugeot.
Which book are you
reading? Given my limited amount of free time I tend not
to read that much. I prefer to spend it doing something more
active.
What’s on your CD
player? Depends on which car. If it’s one of the boys’,
something clearly inappropriate for me.
If it’s mine, I have a pretty diverse
range and taste in music – on reflection probably equally
inappropriate.
