Avnet TS unveils Murphy as new UK boss

20-year company veteran Miriam Murphy to take northern European reins from interim leader Tony Madden at end of month, CRN learns

Avnet Technology Solutions has appointed Miriam Murphy as its permanent UK boss in recognition of her success in growing the distributor's IBM business.

CRN has learned that Murphy is being handed the role of senior vice president, North region, at the distributor, effective from 30 June.

She will take the reins from Tony Madden, a US-based Avnet bigwig who was appointed to oversee the UK business in January following Sukh Rayat's move to a European role.

Murphy (pictured) has been at Avnet for 20 years, most recently in the role of senior vice president, Enterprise Business Group, EMEA.

"Under her leadership, Avnet's IBM business successfully expanded across 14 countries in EMEA and in just three years had reached record market share and profitability," Graeme Watt, president, Avnet Technology Solutions, EMEA, said in a statement.

Murphy's appointment means Avnet TS' UK management team will have a strong female bent, perhaps noteworthy in an industry so traditionally dominated by men. She will, for instance, be working alongside UK sales director Laura Bouchard and UK marketing director Linda Patterson.

In a statement, Murphy said: "This is a truly exciting time for the IT channel in terms of the market dynamics and evolution of technology. We are seeing some really interesting opportunities for distribution and our partners in areas such as security, big data, analytics, converged infrastructure and related services."

She added: "We have enormous talent in our teams in the North region that is driving growth for our supplier and business partners and will continue to maximise the new opportunities that we are seeing across the region."