Walsh bids farewell to Exclusive Networks

Sales director goes on gardening leave

Exclusive Networks sales director Chris Walsh is leaving the distributor after nine years.

Walsh, who is now on gardening leave, became part of the pan-European distributor's management team in 2009 following its acquisition of Arc Technology, where he was also sales director.

He briefly took the reins of Exclusive's UK operations early last year, before Exclusive's acquisition of VADition last summer shook up the management hierarchy.

Although Walsh (pictured) was unavailable for comment, ChannelWeb understands a non-compete clause written into his contract will prevent him resurfacing at a rival distributor for several months.

Walsh was handed the role of core business group director earlier this year following an internal reorganisation. He reported to UK sales director Jason Dance.

Barrie Desmond, group marketing director at Exclusive Networks, stressed the split was entirely amicable.

"Chris has been with the company for nine years," he said. "He has gone through an acquisition and an integration and the business is doing well - we are still getting double-digit growth.

"He has done a fantastic job and we are phenomenally happy with what he has done for the business, but he feels he needs a new challenge and it is all very amicable."

Walsh wished the Exclusive team well on Linked In: "It's been a great nine years, now to relax before I choose the next challenge. Thank you to all those who I've worked with and for and hope to see you all soon," he said.

At the same time, another of the Arc old guard, Mark Weatherill, has also left Exclusive for pastures new, joining vendor Attachmate in the post of UK marketing manager this month, according to Linked In. Weatherill and Walsh comes 18 months after the departure of former Arc boss Stuart Reay.