Axial Systems anoints new boss

Security and networking VAR promotes Mike Simmonds to vacant managing director slot

VAR Axial Systems has appointed a new managing director following the departure of previous boss Ash Hussain last summer.

Mike Simmonds, who joined Axial in 2007 as technical director, takes the reins of the networking and security specialist as it nears its 25th anniversary.

Simmonds will be responsible for the day-to-day activity of the £17m-turnover VAR – which partners with vendors including Gigamon, ForeScout, McAfee and Swivel Secure – reporting to chairman Peter Lloyd.

Hussain led a management buyout of Axial in 2008 but left the business to pursue other opportunities last June, finance director Tim Jones confirmed.

"Ash had been with Axial for 17 years and decided he needed another challenge," Jones said. "His stake [in Axial] has been brought back into the business and in due course will be distributed to other members of the business, to some extent to Mike."

According to his LinkedIn profile, Hussain currently heads up a firm named H Walker.

Lloyd said Axial had picked the right man to fill his shoes.

"Mike brings a vast amount of technical and commercial experience to the role, having been in the networking and security industry for his whole career and at Axial Systems for the past five years as technical director," he said.

"I am sure that he will build on the solid foundations of the past as he takes Axial Systems into the future with a great team around him. Mike has a deep understanding of the needs of our customers and the best solutions available in the market allowing Axial Systems to continue to deliver as a preferred supplier and trusted adviser."

Jones added that Simmonds was a "go-to person" for vendors seeking a source of knowledge in the channel.

There are no other changes in top management, with Jones remaining as finance director and Guy Blackman staying put in the sales director post. Founder Paul Spencer remains on board as a non-executive director.