Like any highly competitive industry, the UK channel is packed with bitter rivalries. But that is not to say the UK's top resellers are above admitting a grudging respect for some of their peers, as we explore in this feature
Nominator: Simon Harbridge, CEO, Stone Group
Nominee: Softcat, CCS Media, Total Computers
It's a vibrant channel, and there are a lot of excellent players in it, and I think most people compete in a friendly and positive way and we all spark off each other. But there is a bit of backbiting that goes on at times as well.
A couple of the big guys I'd shout out would be Softcat and CCS Media. Results speak volumes and they are both delivering consistent growth, but more importantly on a sustainable, profitable basis. And they put people at the forefront. They really work hard bringing people in and developing people from the bottom to the top, and that's something we focus on here at Stone. That leads them to gaining net new customers each year. They both operate what I'd call a very traditional but strong value added reseller model. They really support their customers on their journey and offer a broad range of hardware and associated services that supports all their needs.
I should also really give a shout out to Total Computers in Kettering as another Midlands-based business. It's great to see a couple of guys who set up on their own not so long ago driving things the right way. They are a small company growing strongly with a good focus on customers and an enriched offering of services, and I think they are heading in the right direction.
