Ex-Integralis boss Jones appointed Exclusive UK boss
Neil Ledger promoted to group COO and charged with delivering organic growth in senior shake-up
Former Integralis chief Graham Jones has joined VAD Exclusive Networks as its UK boss, with Neil Ledger moving up to a role as chief operating officer.
Ledger told CRN that in the newly created role his remit would be to focus on organic growth, allowing chief executive Olivier Breittmayer to channel his energies into the distributor's acquisition strategy.
"I think [driving organic growth] is about ensuring that we have the right technologies in place, that we continue to add value on the support side and ensuring we add the right new technologies," said Ledger.
Breittmayer outlined that continued M&A activity will be a key part of making Exclusive's ambition to grow sales to €1bn (£850m) over the next four years a reality.
"Our first priority is to extend our geographical footprint in EMEA, the second is to consolidate our businesses in some countries, and the third is to extend our business further outside the security business," he added.
Acquisition targets will likely be smaller specialist players, said Breittmayer, but size is less important than being in sound financial shape and having a similar ethos to Exclusive.
"We prefer small, growing and profitable organisations, but small is not as important as growing and profitable," he added. "The first priority is to make sure that they have the same DNA as us – that they like to launch new technologies."
In the UK, Jones will lead the country business alongside Ledger's long-time partner Ian Morris, while his former Integralis colleague Graham Aynsley has joined as UK commercial director. Aynsley replaces Robin Draper, who steps into the financial director position following the departure of Nicola Twiddy. All appointments announced today take effect on 1 July.
Breittmayer said: "I have known Graham for 20 years and he is very oriented to driving and growing businesses and has strong management experience."