Meet our UK Channel Community Executive Council
Chair: Richard Tubb, Independent Consultant
Richard Tubb is an Independent Consultant who works with IT businesses to help them feel more in control, and to grow their business. Having worked in the IT industry for over 15 years, Richard is the former owner of award winning Midland IT companies Netlink IT and JamesCash.co.uk.
Well respected within the global SMB IT Community as somebody who is actively believes in sharing knowledge with his peers and building the IT community, in 2010 Richard was nominated to both the MSP Mentor 250 and SMB Nation 150 lists. He has twice spoken for Microsoft at their Worldwide Partner Conference in the USA on the subject of the IT community.
A founder member of the Heartlands Technology Group (HTG) in the UK - Richard is a strong advocate for Peer Groups and participates in AMITPRO, the British Computer Society and is also the elected Chair of the CompTIA UK Channel Community – helping raise standards of professionalism within the UK IT industry. Richard is also the Microsoft Small Business Specialist Partner Area Lead (PAL) for FY11, working as a conduit between Microsoft UK and the Small Business IT Community.
His blog, "Tubblog - the Ramblings of an IT Consultant" (www.tubblog.co.uk) has been twice nominated for the Computer Weekly Blog Awards."
Vice-Chair: Lee Evans, Managing Director, Vital Technology Group
I am the owner and MD of the Vital Technology Group based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The group includes VAR/MSP business Vital Network Solutions which is an SMB focussed IT service and solution provider. Started in 2006 we now employ 12 full time staff and have experienced first-hand many of the challenges facing fellow members of the UK channel including growth, differentiation, financing, vendor relationships and more.
I have a passion for community and firmly believe in the ‘rising tide raises all ships’ philosophy – I believe that by working together as an industry and as a community we can all achieve so much more. I take an active part in the global IT and SMB communities wherever possible – I am a founder and co-ordinator of the ‘IT Yorkshire’ Microsoft SBSC/Partner user group and have been recognised by Autotask with their Autotask Rockstar award for personal commitment to the IT community. I have strong relationships throughout the UK and internationally with SMB consultants, VARs, and industry figures within the space not least of which within the existing and successful CompTIA US communities”
Executive Council:
Andy Dow, Group Marketing Director, Computer 2000
Andy joined the IT industry as a reseller in the early 80’s managing a number of early computer companies both here and abroad. During the last two decades, Andy worked in various senior positions within major distributor and vendor organisations, including HP, Computer 2000, Westcoast and Dell where as Channel Director Andy started the Dell Partner Direct program. Andy Dow re-joined Computer 20000 as Group Marketing Director in April 2010, returning to the company after an absence of 10 years.
Andy has a strong focus upon bringing programs to reseller communities which add both immediate value and the long term foundations for the partners to grow and adapt for the future and with his strong links back into the vendor community Andy has launched a number of initiatives that reach out into the wider reseller communities.
Les Billing, Director, HMD Electronics
Les Billing is an IT and Electronics industry veteran with over 25 years in the franchised distribution business.
Les started in distribution at Rapid Recall in the early eighties selling Digital Equipment and Intel systems and components before moving to Thorn Emi to sell Televideo networks to resellers and VAR’s.
In 1985 Les joined Hitachi Electronics start up distributor MMD Limited as sales manager and shareholder growing the business to acquire Rapid Silicon and become the largest Hitachi and Intel distributor in the UK before selling the business to Arrow Electronics Inc in 1993.
Les spent the next 14 years at director level within several of Arrow’s European businesses including being Managing Director for Microtronica UK and NE for 8 years before leaving to broaden his business knowledge in the interim management market.
Les is still involved in distribution with HMD Electronics a specialist memory focused Pan European distributor and is also working with Cyclone Technology a UK developer of network monitoring and management software solutions.
Les brings a wealth of experience and distribution industry knowledge to the CompTIA UK Group.
Mark Williams, Managing Director, Pensar
I am an experienced IT professional with over 25 years in the sector. Pensar is the business I founded in 1996 and continue to manage on a day to day basis. Now employing 17 people and based in Central London, the company is on course for revenue of £2.5m in the current financial year. Pensar is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and a member of the Apple Consultants Network with an enviable reputation for fast response, excellent service delivery and customer retention.
Prior to Pensar, I was Corporate Sales Manager at the VAR Albion Computers (1991-1995), Sales Director at software house Soft Image Systems (1989-91) and before that in sales at major City based reseller, Personal Computers PLC (1986-89).
I am 49 years old, live in South Bucks and am happily married with 3 beautiful young children who keep me on my toes. I am a keen sportsman with a particular passion for rugby. I still play myself on Saturdays, coach kids on Sundays and go see Wasps play whenever possible. I am also a lifelong fan of Liverpool FC having grown up in and around Liverpool.
Paul Tomlinson, Managing Director, Mirus IT Solutions
With 15 years experience in the managed service industry and over 10 years of that spent running my own business I feel I’ve got the relevant experience and understanding of the channel , with my mixed customer base of 400 businesses I have experience with SME’s through to large corporates. I’m a dedicated professional who can act as a great ambassador , over the last three years I’ve regularly represented Kaseya through in person events and webinars, Autotask have recognised me as an “Autotask Rockstar”.
Jim Harrower, UK & Ireland Sales Manager, GFI MAX
"My role within GFI Software is UK and Ireland Sales Manager for our “MAX” branded range of hosted solutions, which are designed to enable IT Service Providers to operate more efficiently and improve their profitability. My career in the IT industry spans 28 years and over this period, I’ve held a number of positions ranging from software product development, product management and marketing as well as sales. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a Post Graduate diploma in Computing Science.
GFI Software is an international company which provides powerful, award-winning hosted and on-premise IT solutions aimed at the Small and Medium Businesses. These solutions include Remote Management, Mail Security, Mail Archive, Backup, Fax and Security solutions, all designed to be affordable and easy to use by IT Service Providers who are looking to improve efficiency and profitability in their business. In the UK and Ireland marketplace, we have a growing customer base, with over 900 IT Service Provider customers who are using GFI MAX solutions today."