The Channel Community marks five years: mentoring, validation and solving for one of the channel's most pressing challenges
The mentoring initiative - run by the channel for the channel - met last night to mark its anniversary, with founder Yvonne Matzk launching her book to celebrate Social Mobility Awareness Day
The Channel Community had pride of place above London’s skyline in yesterday evening’s sunshine as they met in Telefónica Tech’s office.
The not‑for‑profit mentoring and networking community was celebrating its five-year anniversary of its core mission: to help “level the playing field” in the channel by giving people access to guidance, connections and confidence-building opportunities they might not otherwise have.
“Our purpose has always been about free mentoring for people in the channel,” says founder and former CDW executive Yvonne Matzk.
“Seeing how far it’s come is like seeing your child grown up. I’m so proud!”
The roster of mentors, or Channel Buddies, read like a who’s who of channel leaders across vendors, distributors, MSPs and resellers in the UK.
Solving for a key challenge: the talent market in the channel
In our recent reporting on the State of the Channel global report, one area stood out in the UK and Ireland results: the prominence of the skills and talent challenge.
In fact, 37 per cent of MSPs cite talent shortages as a key issue, ranking higher in the UK data set than in other global region surveyed.
While the atmosphere at yesterday’s event was incredibly warm – with the best networking icebreakers I’ve ever experienced – there’s no doubt the challenge this group is helping to solve for is real.
Mentees were present to share their first-hand experiences of the impact the Channel Community has had on their careers and access to opportunities.
“Ultimately this is solving for one of the most pressing challenges in the channel right now: talent progression, and retention,” said one rising star.
“It’s made such a difference to be able to share my thoughts and have that validation that I can be ambitious and can succeed.”
Mentors also shared their ‘mentoring moments’ to explain why they got involved with the community.
“I have had my own experiences where a mentor has said to me ‘Ring me, anytime, tell me what your problem is.’ They are so generous with their time, even when they’re so senior,” said one partner boss.
“It’s that generosity that really stands out. And I want to give back, ultimately. It’s that virtuous cycle. And being that sounding board to someone who perhaps needs to have their confidence validated is paying that generosity back.”
He added: “It’s also a two-way benefit for mentors. We’re exposed to different work cultures at other businesses. We get that diversity of thought.”
Another mentee who has recently gained a job in number one ranked Top VAR Softcat shared that the Channel Community mentoring gave her the self-belief and conviction to succeed in her role.
Social Mobility Awareness Day
Today is Social Mobility Awareness Day, raising awareness of socio-economic inequality in the UK.
It encourages organisations to share stories to make equal opportunity more visible.
And the official theme for the 2026 campaign is #StoriesMatter.
The Channel Community founder Yvonne Matzk unveiled her book last night in time for today called Smashing the Class Ceiling.
In it, she and 18 channel executives - including several of the Channel Buddies - share their stories with the message that where you start doesn’t have to dictate where you finish.
Some of the proceeds go towards the charity turn2us, which offers support to people facing financial insecurity in the UK.
If you are a business who wants to support the Channel Community, or new to the channel and want to become a mentee you can contact the team here.
CRN thanks the Channel Community for inviting us. Here’s to another five years!