WPM Internet

Who are you, what do you do and why do you do it?

My name is Holger Bollmann, founding director of WPM, originally from Germany but living in Sussex since 1984. I am ultimately responsible for the running of WPM's operations, which covers the usual mix of strategic planning, sales, marketing and account management as well as liaising with my core team to keep us moving in the right direction. Believe it or not I've been doing this for 10 years (8 years full time) and I couldn't imagine doing anything else -even if it might mean I wouldn't work weekends, late nights, etc. - the satisfaction and sense of achievement in this job is second to none.

Did you really want to become a founder member or were Nick's skills of persuasion too hard to resist?

A combination of an unexplained knock to the head, a couple of pints, Nick's persuasive skills and our genuine interest in making Sussex a better place to do business all combined to make this an unmissable opportunity.

What's going to happen to Wired Sussex in the next five years?

I think that we'll fight our way through a raft of ideas to come up with some initiatives that really do make a difference to businesses and the people in Sussex's "Wired" community. The support of private enterprises has ensured its continued success and in the next five years that support will place it as a valued part of an economy which is recognised for pushing boundaries and opening opportunities.

What was your most unpleasant job (factory work included) and how did it help you to get where you are today?

I've been racking my brains but this is the only job I've ever really done! Which, in a way, makes it the most pleasant and unpleasant.

Everyone's got a book in them, what's yours?

Currently a work in progress - "101 reasons why not to buy flat packed furniture…"

If you could pinch anyone's genius idea (myspace, youtube, the wheel) and claim it as your own, what would it be?

Do cocktails count? It would be a close call between a Margarita and Long Island Ice Tea. If not - I'll settle for the PC.

When you're not being a big cheese and making important decisions, what do you do for fun?

Whilst it's not necessarily classed as "fun" I do spend a lot of time trying to keep fit: running, cycling and doing something called "British Military Fitness" (or BMF) which involves dressing in a numbered bib, looking a bit silly (with lots of small children pointing and laughing), being shouted at by ex-Royal Marines and basically doing circuit training in Brighton & Hove's parks!