Boss who wants "blood commitment"

Mr Webster aims to lead by example

Simon Webster joined technology firm Peregrine Systems as its UK head after more than 20 years experience in the IT industry.

Mr Webster joined the global IT asset and service management software group after holding posts at ICL, HP and Siebel.

When he took the post early this year, the firm was just recovering from some financial troubles.

He was given the task of improving the firm's fortunes - something he is "committed in blood" to do, and which he also demands of his staff.

What was your first car?

A yellow Citroen Diane affectionately known as the "Yellow Peril".

What was your first job?

I was a farm labourer during the summer holidays, responsible for looking after the chickens.

Take home pay was a dozen eggs.

What was your first house?

It was a one-bedroom flat in Windsor with views towards the castle.

A classic "location, location, location" property. It doubled my money in two years and I never looked back.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My dad. He is my mentor and one of the wisest people I know.

He had a very successful career in sales and marketing in the retail industry; and until the day he retired, his energy and enthusiasm for business never waned.

He was also a smart investor and in retirement has a lifestyle that is positively decadent.

What can the government do to boost business?

Lead by example would be a start - how many times have we heard about massive IT project failures, excessive waste, and IT budgets and assets that appear to go missing.

Why can't the larger government departments set a shining example to industry - it's our money after all.

What's the biggest challenge facing business now?

Organisations have recently understood the need to have all information relating to IT, users, assets, services, contracts, vendor information all stored in one place.

Whilst the technology is not new, it is only recently that many large businesses - driven by the need to reduce costs, be more visible internally as well as regulatory and be more business oriented - have recognised the value in tying all of this information together.

What was the proudest moment of your career?

I have many proud moments from my career to date, but having the opportunity to play a role in returning Peregrine to winning ways is certainly one of them.

I am able to use the experience I have gained from spending 20 years experience in the IT industry to successfully run the business within Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The basic ingredients are there, I just bring focus, intensity, enthusiasm and accountability.

I have enjoyed my first nine months with the company and have been able to make a positive impact during that time - and we're just getting started.

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Founded in 1981, Peregrine Systems develops and sells enterprise software that enables customers worldwide to evolve their IT asset and service management capabilities.

With its headquarters in San Diego, California, the group has 3,500 customers from offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Last year, the company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US and underwent a board shake-up to improve its fortunes. In 2003 it racked up sales of $230m and currently has a market value of $277.7m.