Teksys boss steps down

Channel veteran Simon Ognall to leave Microsoft large account reseller

The managing director of Microsoft large account reseller Teksys has stepped down just a month after selling up to two private investors.

Simon Ognall, who has been in the channel for 25 years, was part of the management team that bought Tesksys in 2002. Before that he headed up Microsoft reseller Bytes and Compaq partner Simmons Magee.

Talking to CRN, Ognall said: “I stepped down as managing director on Tuesday. I am on gardening leave so will still be an employee of the company until the summer.”

Ognall said it wasn’t his intention to return to the channel. He has also signed a non-compete agreement with Teksys.

“I’ve spent the last 25 years trying to rid myself of my addiction to the channel. I intend to spend time with my family; after that, who knows,” he added.

Teksys was bought in January by two private investors - former managing director of Cisco UK, Alan Watkins, and entrepreneur Kevin Lewis (CRN Online, 9 January).

Ognall admitted the transition from owner to employee had proved challenging.

“The change in ownership was a factor. The new owners wanted to get to grips with the business unencumbered, so we mutually agreed that I should step down a get on with it,” he said.

Nitin Joshi, founder of channel advisory service Channelmoney, said: “Simon has lived in VAR-land for over 20 years and I am sure he’ll be using his not inconsiderable skills again very soon.”