CompTIA forms UK Channel Community

Organisation keen to give UK resellers an independent voice with first meeting set to coincide with CRN Partner Connect

CompTIA has established a new forum to give channel firms a voice to their concerns and complaints.

The CompTIA UK Channel Community intends to offer technology firms a chance to address common problems and pursue common goals through face-to-face and online networking opportunities, educational programmes and the development of association-funded and managed initiatives.

Jim Hamilton, senior director of member relations at CompTIA, said: “The structure of the UK Channel Community differs from that of other CompTIA communities in that it does not focus on a specific vertical market or technology solutions within the IT industry.

Rather, we’re bringing together like-minded executives from across the full spectrum of the UK IT channel to take on the challenges that are unique to the UK market.”

Richard Tubb, an independent IT consultant has been made chairman of the CompTIA UK channel community. Previously, Tubb ran VAR Netlink IT and JamesCash.co.uk.

In a statement, Tubb said: "I'm a strong believer in the influence of peer community groups helping to raise standards within the IT industry. My experience is that by openly and freely sharing knowledge and experiences, everyone within the community can benefit.

"With the support of CompTIA, I think the UK channel community can enable member resellers, distributors and vendors to make a real positive change that helps everyone involved."

Lee Evans, owner of Harrogate-based VAR Vital Technology Group, has been appointed as vice chairman of the community.

“I have a passion for community and firmly believe in the ‘rising tide raises all ships’ philosophy. I believe that by working together as an industry and as a community we can all achieve so much more.”

Some of the Channel Community’s immediate challenges will be to develop tools such as: best practice guidelines for data protection aimed at SMB customers; an IT-specific quality mark for quality management systems; skills certification roadmaps, and HR and legal recourses guides aimed at IT firms.

The CompTIA UK Channel Community will hold its inaugural meeting in conjunction with CRN’s Partner Connect event.

The group will then meet every month via a webinar and will hold quarterly face-to-face meetings.