The A-List: 2008

Job

Sales director

Company

Channel 4

Work Telephone

+44 (0)20 7306 8200.

Address

124 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2TX

Fantasy business partner

Mark Cranmer.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

I don't own a car.

Greatest influence

John Fox, ex-TVS; Ron Miller, ex-LWT; Stewart Butterfield, ex-C4.

Clubs

Arsenal, Soho House.

Favourite gadget

Sky+.

Desert island objects

Sky+, Arsenal video and a picture of those I love.

Most-admired politician

Margaret Thatcher. She did what she said she would.

Favourite media

The Sun, Official Arsenal Magazine, Sky Sports News, CSI, Radio Five Live, The Daily Telegraph Fantasy League.

Biggest risk taken

Selling C4's airtime not against station price.

Perfect day

A run by the Thames, an attended Arsenal victory, TV and then food and drink with my friends and family.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

My wonderful brother, who knows and understands me best.

Career highlights

Southern Television/TVS from 1979 to 1991; Channel 4 deputy sales director, 1991 to 1997; Channel 4 sales director from 1997 to the present.

Fictional hero

Gil Grisham in CSI.

Hidden talent

I make wonderful sandwiches.

Best job outside advertising

Barman at the local pub.

Lowdown

One of TV's best, and most experienced, sales people, Barnes spent much of 2007 fending off speculation he was leaving Channel 4 to join his old boss Michael Grade at ITV. C4 without the now healthily plumper Barnes seems unthinkable.

Why are you good at what you do?

Thorough, involved, I let my people do their own jobs, and I still care deeply about always doing my best.