Jonathan Pickering

clock

Career so far:

I have had various Cisco networking roles within the telecoms sector. I worked my way up to being network manager for Colt Telecom. Six years ago I set up Block Solutions.

If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be and what would you do?

I have no great aspirations to be anyone in particular but would love to be a top golfer for a week and compete in the British Open.

Cloud - friend or foe?

Definitely a friend but I still think there is a lot of hype, plus some of the predictions around transitioning to public cloud, especially for big organisations, are too ambitious.

Has 2011 been as bad as everyone said it would be?

We have had our best year yet, so I guess I have to say it hasn't been for Block. It is hard to win business but I think the current climate presents a great opportunity to differentiate.

What would you have as your last meal?

It would have to be an Indian curry.

Who would you like to be stuck in a lift with?

I'd best keep this clean. Peter Kay for his jokes and to keep spirits up.

Have any of your predictions come true this year?

I don't like to be proved wrong so tend to shy away from predictions, but I usually go for Manchester Utd winning the league, so that came true!

What do you see as the channel's biggest challenge in 2012?

Although there are well-documented economic challenges, I believe that the market is very much making decisions based on service. The challenges for many channel organisations will be working out ways to differentiate based on the service they provide

What is the best part of your day?

Coming home to see my wife and kids, and then having a bottle of Peroni.

You may also like

People

clock 16 November 2020 • 3 min read

Finance and M&A

Connect IP joins group following 12-year partnership

clock 20 April 2020 • 1 min read

Research

Those resellers ranked just below the top 100 are more profitable than their larger counterparts, and grew sales by a collective 9.6 per cent in their last financial years, according to new research from CRN

clock 23 January 2018 • 2 min read

Sign up to our newsletter

The best news, stories, features and photos from the day in one perfectly formed email.

More on Reseller

CDW CEO Christine Leahy: Customers are 'exploring the art of the possible' with AI

CDW CEO Christine Leahy: Customers are 'exploring the art of the possible' with AI

World's largest reseller is focusing on AI growth potential following a drop in first quarter 2024 earnings

Joseph F. Kovar
clock 03 May 2024 • 4 min read
Wavenet and Daisy Corporate Services confirm merger

Wavenet and Daisy Corporate Services confirm merger

The deal is expected to create a £1bn+ entity

clock 03 May 2024 • 2 min read
Channel Digest: Growth by any means necessary

Channel Digest: Growth by any means necessary

This week's Channel Digest newsletter tackles the different approaches to growth taken by channel partners - from aggressive M&A to careful business investments

clock 03 May 2024 • 2 min read

Highlights

Staff & Salaries 2022

Staff & Salaries 2022

A snapshot of pay and headcount trends in the UK channel

Doug Woodburn
clock 09 March 2022 • 1 min read
Midwich CEO on Nimans acquisition, 2021 results and return to pre-pandemic levels

Midwich CEO on Nimans acquisition, 2021 results and return to pre-pandemic levels

Stephen Fenby talks to CRN after Midwich’s 2021 results in which profitability exceeded pre-pandemic levels

Josh Budd
clock 08 March 2022 • 3 min read
4 more vendors suspend sales in Russia following Ukraine invasion

4 more vendors suspend sales in Russia following Ukraine invasion

IBM and Microsoft are among a number of vendors which have also announced that they will halt sales in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

clock 08 March 2022 • 3 min read