Ingram Micro executive takes road to Singapore

The migration of staff from Ingram Micro is continuing this week with the transfer of commercial vice president Bhavesh Patel, who has taken up a job at the distributor's Asia Pacific offices.

Patel will become head of purchasing on 8 October at Ingram 's Singapore subsidiary, Electronic Resources, which last year sold a 21 per cent stake to the distributor for $116 million.

His move follows a massive shakeup in Ingram Micro's senior administration, including the departure last month of both Lloyd Pinder, vice president of sales, and of Nigel Judd, senior marketing manager.

In the remodelled management line-up, Andy Arthur has shifted from being vice president of marketing to a role as director of change management (PC Dealer, 23 September).

Sandy Scott, managing director of Ingram Micro, denied that Patel had been shunted off to another country. He said: 'It was Bhavesh's decision to move on. He needs to advance his career and progress upwards.'

Scott also pointed out: 'The vice president title is a role we no longer have in the UK.'

Patel said: 'It was different for me when Sandy came on board. I knew my eventual destination would be Europe but then this huge opportunity came up and I wanted to take it.'

He stated that he had originally returned from Europe to the UK only to support Steve Payne as joint managing director until Scott joined the company.

'My career aspirations have always been in Europe,' said Patel. 'The only piece missing was Asia Pacific.'

Commenting on Scott's progress at the distributor, Patel said: 'There are a lot of changes afoot and while these are going on there is always apprehension.

He added: 'At the same time change is a positive thing. It is what the industry needs.'