Managing director leaves PCWB
Derek Lloyd makes shock departure
PC World Business (PCWB) was left reeling last week following the shock departure of managing director Derek Lloyd.
The company released a statement claiming the move was “by mutual consent” and that Lloyd will be pursuing other interests. Lloyd joined Dixons in 1996 as marketing director for PCWB before being appointed managing director of the firm in 1997.
PCWB said it will now bring in Jeremy Roest as interim managing director until a permanent replacement can be found. The company hopes to appoint someone in the next three to six months and is believed to be looking externally.
Stuart Fenton, managing director of rival VAR Insight UK, said: “It is a shame to see Derek go. He has steered the business very successfully through two acquisitions. He has been strong competition for us and I wish him the best of luck for the future.”
Tony Price, managing director of online VAR WStore, was very surprised by the move.
“There could have been some issues at PCWB for them to let him go,” he said. “You don’t let people go for no reason.”
There has been speculation in the channel that Dixons Stores Group (DSG), the parent company of PCWB, is looking to bring the business-to-business (B2B) unit closer to its sister company, PC World retail.
Price said this could be a good idea for PCWB.
“It certainly would not do any harm to the company,” he said. “It could help PCWB if the back-end processes were brought closer together. DSG has a lot of knowledge and experience in the retail side. This could help it overall with the B2B commercial side of its business.”