Avnet raids Arrow in security push

Distributor poaches two staff from rival as it expands newly created security and networking arm

Two of Arrow's UK security heads are moving across to arch-rival Avnet to join its newly launched Security and Networking Solutions (SNS) unit.

Avnet Technology Solutions vowed to bring in new, external specialist skills to bulk out SNS when it launched the unit in June.

CRN understands the distributor has convinced Arrow security heads Adam Bowman and Richard Scott to switch allegiances as part of this drive.

Bowman will start next week in the post of business development manager for RSA Security, a vendor Avnet only recently signed in the UK and several other territories. Scott is set to start at the end of September in the role of business development manager for Cisco security.

Avnet said SNS will be backed by a number of ‘competency centres' designed to help VARs with their technical and commercial needs. The first of these is opening in the Netherlands this quarter and will serve as a regional hub for SNS across EMEA.

Avnet said it is "not able to comment on speculation", while Arrow could not be reached for comment.