Why the move from Science to Technology?
Actually I didn't really feel as if I moved. My PhD was spent designing and building instrumentation to measure nanoscale structures. Here I learnt how to etch circuit boards, network computers together and most importantly to program. From there a move to technology is a natural step.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
My mother. She taught me how to work hard to achieve my goals, and never forget my roots.

What would you like to do if you weren’t an IT Director?
Something completely different, like sculpting - people don't really know I have a creative side, but I do!

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement?
I suppose my greatest achievement has to be the fact that all the commercial sites that I have worked for have either won or have been runner up at major internet award ceremonies. I'm especially proud of Fotango, a company which I co-founded, which has just been voted runner up in the "best e-commerce site" category by Metro.

Who would you most like to meet?
I would love to have met Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi. His thoughts on how he managed to achieve so much, against so much adversity, using peaceful means would be enlightening to all - especially in this age of terrorism.

Where are you going on your next vacation?
I am of to Kenya - to climb Mt. Kenya with a couple of trusted friends.

Links:
Rakesh's Bio: www.ariadnecapital.com/team_rakesh.htm

Next month: Florian Pfingsten, Associate Director

Email your questions to: journal@ariadnecapital.com