Annette Murphy becomes Advania UK CEO

Women now account for 50 per cent of the firm's UK senior leadership team

Advania UK has appointed Annette Murphy as CEO, bringing an end to a period of interim leadership at the VAR.

Murphy takes up the position today, replacing Advania CEO Hege Støre, who had been acting head of the UK business since February.

Støre will remain as group CEO of the organisation.

The new UK leader joins with experience across several tech and telecoms companies, having previously held senior commercial and general management roles at companies including Lumen, Zayo/GEO and BT across the UK, EMEA and APAC.

She most recently served as chief commercial officer at Colt Technology Services for nearly three years.

“Advania UK has built a strong business through an impressive combination of technical expertise, strong customer relationships, acquisitions and investment in new technology,” said Murphy.

“Together, we have a significant opportunity to help organisations navigate change and realise greater value from technology.”

She also explained that Advania ALT, the sovereign AI platform launched by the company last month, represents an important part of where the market is heading and said she is looking forward to building on that foundation as she takes the business into its next phase.

Støre added: “We are entering a pivotal and transitional chapter in Advania’s story and the UK business is a key driver in that.

“[Murphy] has an outstanding track record of leading technology businesses through growth and transformation.

“Her commercial experience, customer focus and commitment to building high-performing teams make her the right leader for Advania UK as we enter our next phase.”

Murphy’s arrival now completes the transition from interim leadership, with women making up 50 per cent of Advania UK’s senior leadership team.

Her appointment also follows a year of significant changes across the VAR's exec team.

In September last year, the firm promoted James Hardy to UK CEO, replacing Geoff Kneen after three years in the role.

In November, the company made 45 people redundant, while its CFO also left the business.

Støre took over as acting head of Advania UK in February, replacing Hardy after five months in the role.

That same month, the organisation's UK arm appointed Sabrina Harris as CFO and Tara Allison as chief marketing officer, while Ian Goodfellow joined as MD of its VAR business in May.

Last week, the company hired Mattias Røstad Jørum as director of cyber resilience.

Advania UK ranks number 48 on CRN’s Top VARs list.