Partner head leaves Matrix

Matrix has lost the managing director of its Partner Sales distribution division

Matrix has lost the managing director of its Partner Sales distribution division, just a few months after the appointment was made.

Ron Sandison, who was overseeing the integration of his former company Network Partners and distributor equIP, both of which Matrix acquired last year, has retired from the company.

Ian Smith, chief executive at Matrix, admitted the move may have surprised some. “When we did the Network Partners deal over eight months ago, there was an unwritten understanding that Ron would retire. It was all very amicable,” he said.

He dismissed concerns that some partners would have to re-establish relationships with the firm. “For a long time, Ron has had little interaction with many partners, concentrating on vendor relationships,” he said.

Smith said it was “most likely” that Ian Morris, a co-founder of equIP, would take over Sandison’s role.

He added that Sandison’s retirement was counter-balanced by the appointment of Ric Piper as the group’s non-executive deputy chairman. Piper was senior independent director of Synstar until its sale to Hewlett-Packard last year.

Alastair Edwards, senior analyst at Canalys, said Matrix’s strategy seems to be paying off. “It had a great set of results recently (CRN, 20 June), exceeding expectations. Losing management is just part of the evolution of business,” he said.