Foxwell leaves merging firm

UK head of Micro Warehouse departs

The UK head of Micro Warehouse has left the firm as it continues on the path towards integration with PC World Business (PCWB).

Managing director Nigel Foxwell left the company in August, two months after PCWB bought the UK arm of the business for about £82m in a bid to increase its services focus.

Derek Lloyd, managing director of PCWB, is heading up Micro Warehouse as an additional role.

"Micro Warehouse's European management team reflected the pre-acquisition strategy of the firm. After the acquisition Nigel's position disappeared," a PC World representative said. He added that Foxwell had left the company on "good terms".

The representative told CRN that Micro Warehouse is still trading under its brand but was vague about whether the firm would retain the name.

He said: "The plan is to grow the firm and develop the brand." He added that it was "too early" to comment further on the merger.

Paul Barlow, managing director of VAR Equanet, said: "It would be a good idea to keep the Micro Warehouse brand because it already has customer loyalty."

But Alastair Edwards, senior analyst at Canalys, said: "As long as its gets the service right it makes sense to stick with one brand. It doesn't have the legacy that Micro Warehouse has, but the PC World brand is stronger."

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