Peoplewatch


Exertis has today announced the appointment of Jonathan Wagstaff to the newly created position of Business Intelligence Manager. Based in Basingstoke with a European remit, his role will help to identify trends in the technology market, including new technol- ogies, significant new market players (vendors, custom- ers, operators, and others) and the impact of these new technologies on the distribution space. He will report to Stephen Casey, Finance & Devel- opment Director at DCC Technology. “I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to Exertis. Exertis has undergone a successful period of growth with several key acquisitions across the Group. Whilst we have a very strong technology proposition, it’s im-


Exertis has appointed Jonathan Wagstaff to the newly created position of Business Intelligence Manager.


portant we continue to identify and translate market opportunities into actions that can benefit our business, and also the business of our vendor partners and reseller cus- tomers both in existing and new territories. Jonathan’s experience in data analytics and how the channel operates is ideally suited to fulfilling the task of providing business intelligence that can enable us to take the right decisions to meet our Group objectives,” said Casey. Wagstaff joins from Context, a leading European data analyst company that tracks sales and pricing information from within the


GLP of Karlsbad has continued to strengthen its UK operation, with the announcement that the hugely experienced David Stewart has been recruited as Sales Manager. An industry veteran with nearly 30 years’ service, he spent the previous decade with Martin Professional, where he built up a powerful network of key specifiers, lighting designers and rental companies. Starting his career as a Vari Lite operator, he freelanced for 10 years he then enjoyed stints with Stage Elec- trics, Fusion and Spirit Design before joining Martin Professional.


Finding himself ready for a change, he said that GLP had been an obvious move. “The brand is very well known and they were at the forefront of LED moving head technology with their impression series. Aside from their


IT channel, where he managed EMEA wide data collection projects for major ICT vendors and had responsibility for the UK and IE distribution, reseller and retail panels. He was also instrumental in setting up Context’s VR Research Group and PC Gaming category tracking. Wagstaff said “Having worked at Context, I appreciate the importance of interpreting data and identifying trends, and the value that busi- ness analytics can bring to companies when making critical decisions. Data is often called the new oil; as dis- tribution rapidly evolves and mar- gins feel pressure its importance has shifted. Exertis is one of the largest and most successful


technology distributors in Europe and their ambition to grow profitably, whilst looking for new market opportunities based on sound business intelligence, was a challenge that appealed to me.” With degrees from Oxford and Johns Hopkins Universities, Wagstaff has been a regular contributor to IT trade titles on research mat- ters and has spoken at many industry events including the Plug In To Exertis channel event in May. He has specialist knowledge of the UK ICT supply chain and the global VR, Smart Home, and PC Gaming markets.


excellent reputation and branding I liked the idea of working for an independent company where I can make a difference and have a more hands-on approach to developing the next technology.”


He also looks forward to being reunited with Mark Ravenhill, who heads up GLP Inc in the States, with whom he previously worked at Martin Professional. “Mark has been a huge influence and I have huge respect for him. We have kept in touch at trade shows and when he approached me about the Sales Manager role the timing seemed perfect.” Through his many contacts and networking skills Stewart’s immediate goal will be to fur- ther develop the market for GLP’s burgeoning portfolio, and at the same time seek feedback from key end users.


Focus 21 has hired Ashley Rudd to join the team as a Senior Account Manager, to look after a portfolio of the company’s key corporate clients. He brings almost 20 years’ experience to the new role. Ashley explains;


“Focus 21 is the best engineering company out. Everything that they work on is great quality and each job is meticulously delivered for the client. They have a great reputation and long-term relationships with clients and I’m looking forward to working with some of them in my new role, working across different environments with a variety of people.” Darren Barton Taylor, Head of Business De- velopment at Focus 21, explains:


Ashley Rudd brings almost 20 years’ experience to the his new role at Focus 21.


“Ashley has a great set of complimentary experience and skills from his time at Extron and integration businesses. It’s clear that he gets a buzz from the finished solution and enjoys the complexity of some of the projects at Focus 21, which will make him a great addition to our growing team.” Ashley’s role at Focus 21 will be as a Senior Account Manager for corporate accounts. Previous roles as Education Account Manager at Extron and Steljes as Product Manager gives him experience taking the product from inception to delivery and planning its route to market. Integration roles have seen him working with brands including Thomas Cook, BMW, Mini and Unipart. Systems Group


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