'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Welcome to our essential guide to what you need to know before approaching the 125 top UK channel executives featured in this year's CRN A-list.

This year, we asked our century-and-a-quarter of power players to imagine they had a warning label, and say how it would read.

The answers that came back are gold dust for anyone hoping to do business with this channel elite.

Did you know, for example, that Computacenter's Mike Norris does not share food, while Sapphire CEO Annabel Berry should be approached with caution if she hasn't had coffee? Another A-lister's warning label would caution not to ask him whether you can work from home.

See the full CRN A-list 2023, in association with Agilitas, here.

Here we round up some of the best answers.

Alex Tatham, chief client & marketing officer, NSC Global

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"Be prepared for excess enthusiasm - ear protectors may be required"

Read Tatham's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Mike Norris, CEO, Computacenter

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"Does not share food"

Read Norris' full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Sarah Shields, vice president, channel, Dell Technologies

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"Don't CC her on emails - it makes her mad"

Read Shields' full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Neil Sawyer, MD, Lenovo UK&I

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"Warning: take in small doses!"

Read Sawyer's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Andy Wright, chief revenue officer, XMA

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"Boring old fart - approach with care"

Read Wright's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Joseph Castle, CEO, Tecnologika

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"Approach with extreme optimism!" Be genuine, honest and don't be scared to ask a question. There is no such thing as a bad question, just a bad response.

Read Castle's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Mary Hunter, Microsoft business applications lead for Europe, Accenture

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"Warning: hang out with me long enough and I will have you believing anything is possible for yourself!"

Read Hunter's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

David Furby, CEO, Novatech

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"Don't call me Dave!"

Read Furby's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Alexa Greaves, CEO, AAG IT Services

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"Be careful, she remembers everything you tell her"

Read Greaves' full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Jenny Hicks, group head of technology, Midwich Group

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"Addicted to Lego."

Read Hicks' full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Yolanta Gill, CEO, European Electronique

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It depends what kind of day it is! If it's a bad day, it would be: "Approach at your peril!"

Read Gill's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Jon Atherton, group director, CI-Distribution

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"Dangerous when hungry."

Read Atherton's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Annabel Berry, CEO, Sapphire

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"If un-caffeinated, approach with caution."

Read Berry's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Alicia Shepherd, sales director, Terra Computer

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"Tendency to talk about running."

Read Shepherd's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Anushka Davies, head of talent, engagement and diversity, Softcat

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"Loves a nap." I love getting a sneaky nap in on the weekend! After a long week, it always surprises my family that I fall asleep so quickly and enjoy a snooze in the car while the kids are at their gymnastics class or just a quick nap on the sofa! Shame I'm not such a great sleeper at night!

Read Davies' full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Scott Dodds, CEO, Ultima

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"Don't send me long emails."

Read Dodds' full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Ralph Gilbert, co-founder, Focus Group

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"Rarely wrong."

Read Gilbert's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

David Grant, CEO, Westcon-Comstor

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"Make sure you do your number." My team hear it from me constantly (in relation to orders, revenue - all of it). I wouldn't be surprised if they printed me a label…

Read Grant's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Jenni Riley, co-founder & business director, ITARMI UK

"If you don't want to hear the truth, don't ask me." I am a very honest person and believe that open honest communication is essential."

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Read Riley's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Craig Hume, MD, Utopia Computers

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"Warning: contains cheese - from Dad jokes to being overly optimistic." I'm the king of cheese!

Read Hume's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Howard Malloy, senior vice president, Europe, Ensono

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"I promise I'm not angry. I'm just loud." Especially if I'm talking about something I'm excited by.

Read Malloy's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Lee Driscoll, MD UK&I, Nuvias Group

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"Bulls**t free zone."

Read Driscoll's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Lee Dutton, sales director, Misco Technologies

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"May cause drowsiness."

Read Dutton's full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

Clare Parry-Jones, MD (interim) UK&I, Computacenter UK&I

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"Don't lie to me."

Read Parry-Jones' full A-list profile here

'Don't call me Dave': 25 CRN A-listers reveal what their warning labels would say

James Kight, CEO, Printerland.co.uk

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"Warning! Do not ask to work from home."

Read Kight's full A-list profile here