Avnet's Bouchard is Microsoft bound

Distribution giant's UK sales director Laura Bouchard is heading for pastures new

Avnet is gearing up to find a replacement for its UK sales director Laura Bouchard (pictured) who is set to leave the distributor towards the end of the year.

Having spent the past decade working at Avnet after joining the company through its acquisition of Horizon, Bouchard is well known in channel circles and will take up the new role as partner sales lead for Microsoft UK, working with Clare Barclay, general manager of the vendor’s SMS&P Group.

Speaking to CRN this morning, she said: “My phone has been ringing off the hook all morning already as Microsoft has announced the news to over 90 of its partners and obviously it has been announced internally at Avnet.

“I have a relatively long notice period with Avnet and have loved working there for the past 10 years. People thought I was never going to leave! I’m very people oriented and the most difficult part about the decision was the thought of having to say goodbye to my team.

“I have had a fantastic time at Avnet and it has allowed me to learn and develop across the business by doing many different roles. The move is not competitive in any way and it is great to be able to go with their blessing and work my notice period until a replacement is found.

“It is also a very exciting time to be joining Microsoft,” she added.

Miriam Murphy, Avnet’s recently appointed UK boss said the move is completely amicable and that Bouchard would be missed by the Avnet camp.

“We will be very sad to see her go as she has been a great advocate for us with customers,” she said.

“But she is going to be working with us for some time yet and that reflects how amicable this is and how much confidence we have in Laura. She is going to be a loss to the team, but we wish her well in her new role.”

Murphy added that the company has some "really strong internal candidates" who could potentially fill the role.

Microsoft UK's Clare Barclay said in a statement to CRN that the vendor was pleased to welcome Bouchard on board.

“We are delighted that Laura Bouchard will be joining Microsoft to lead our UK Partner Sales organisation," she said. "She will be responsible for sales via managed partners and helping them to drive our cloud and mobility solutions. Laura brings a wealth of industry experience and expertise and we are very much looking forward to her joining the organisation.”