Life in the channel
ADAPTING TO CHANGE
Drawing on nearly two decades of experience, Kieran Vineer, Distribution Channel Manager at TP-Link UK&I, shares his perspective on how careers
are changing, where the biggest skills gaps lie, and how the ecosystem can work together to build a stronger, future-ready workforce.
T
he channel is undergoing rapid change, driven by emerging technologies like AI, automation and data analytics.
Tese advances are redefining roles, from account management to pre-sales and enablement, reshaping the skills in demand and how partners create value and growth. As the channel adapts, it also faces new
challenges in how it attracts young talent and builds an ecosystem of skilled professionals capable of meeting the heightened expectations of customers today.
What has been your experience of working in the channel? I’ve worked in the channel since I was 18 – half my life – starting in an entry-level account manager role. Today, I manage distribution for TP-Link across the UK and Ireland in a fast-paced, ambitious business. It’s been an exciting journey, with its fair share of challenges, and I’ve learned to embrace both the highs and the lows.
www.pcr-online.biz Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity
to work with two of the UK’s top distributors and now one of the most successful networking manufacturers globally. Supportive leadership has played a huge role in my development, and I’ve been fortunate to work with people who’ve helped shape my commercial and sales knowledge. After 12 years at TP-Link, it still feels like the right place to be.
How are emerging technologies, such as AI and automation, changing what it means to build a career in the channel today? The channel landscape is evolving fast. Increasingly, we’re seeing young professionals entering the space with strong knowledge of new and emerging tools. These fresh perspectives are reshaping how
we approach traditional roles and the ways in which professionals deliver value for both the business and their customers. While skills like data analysis, product knowledge, strategic
November/December 2025 | 49
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
