VARs BIS Limited and Redwood Telecommunications have climbed to the top of Colt's partner ladder after becoming the carrier's first UK Platinum Partners.

The Colt Community channel scheme has three tiers – Select, Premium, and Platinum – with varying levels of benefits and incentives. As top-level Platinum Partners, BIS and Redwood can now take advantage of Colt's Executive Sponsorship Programme, wherein senior management from the carrier give VARs hands-on support.

Both resellers are based close to Colt's London heartland, with BIS' headquarters located in the City. The reseller also has four datacentres across the capital, while Redwood is based in Battersea.

BIS chairman David Pyemont said: “We are extremely pleased to receive this recognition. As a company focused on quality customer service, we are always delighted when our vendors recognise that BIS actually does go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.”

Charles Whelpton, head of Redwood's connectivity division, claimed the Colt partnership was a vital vendor relationship for his firm. "Developing our business with Colt is a primary strategy for Redwood," he added.

"Achieving Platinum accreditation is a milestone in the relationship that reflects the very hard work put in by the Redwood and Colt teams to add value for our customers, combining great products from Colt with Redwood’s award-winning customer service and technical integration skills."

Andy Horn, head of the carrier's UK SME division, claimed the two firms had ably demonstrated their Colt credentials in achieving the Platinum certification.

"We are delighted to recognise the outstanding contribution from BIS and Redwood," he said.

"Both organisations have proven their expertise and unrivalled excellence in the delivery of Colt products and services. We are committed to continue working with them and all our Colt Community partners to deliver the tools and initiatives to support our mutually profitable growth, while ensuring it is as easy as possible for partners to do business with us.”