Ann Keefe

Regional director - UK & Ireland, Kingston Technology
What is your greatest career move to date?
Joining Kingston, of course.
What is top of your bucket list?
To do an Ironman triathlon.
What has changed most since you started working in the channel?
I've been in the channel for a long time and the biggest change has to be the
way technology has transformed everything we do in our personal lives and in business.
How do you think Brexit is going to affect the channel?
It is too early to say, but I hope that we can continue business as usual.
What is your least favourite task during the working day?
Doing admin tasks.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
I would be a cat. I like the way that they are independent, self sufficient and can roam free, but also that they love to spend time relaxing in the sun or in front of a nice warm fire.
If you won the big one on EuroMillions, what would you do?
I don't play the Lottery; I think it causes more problems than it solves. But if I were to do it and win, I would buy big houses in cool places around the world, staff them up, and then invite my friends to come and stay.
What is your worst habit?
Ignoring admin tasks.
How has 2016 been for you?
It has been eventful, exciting and surprising. We have a whole new encrypted USB product lineup as a result of our IronKey acquisition and some great new HyperX gaming headsets and a HyperX Alloy keyboard, which is very exciting. And we had the Brexit news, exchange rate fluctuation and uncertainty. So a very eventful year and it's not over yet.
If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would be your dream career?
It would be interesting and fun to be a travel journalist - to get paid to travel the world and write about interesting places would be a great way to earn a living.
What major issues will the channel face in 2017?
After Brexit and the upcoming US election, who can possibly predict what surprises and challenges 2017 is going to throw at us?
More on Reseller
Five resellers secure places on £150m Welsh IT framework
Contract covers IT hardware to larger customer organisations
European IT channel on track for record breaking year in 2021, claims analyst
Market analyst Context says European IT channel now on track to break first ever €100bn-revenue year in 2021, despite pandemic pressures
Eight resellers win spots on £5bn IT framework with East Midlands police
Four-year contract includes wide range of hardware, software, services and support to police force
Charterhouse boss: 'We will absolutely make more acquisitions this year'
Mark Brooks-Wadham reveals further M&A plans to CRN and why the UC market is seeing so much consolidation lately
More news
Why threat actors are targeting the channel
The recent attack on Exclusive Networks is only the latest in a series which has seen cybersecurity vendors, distributors and MSPs suffer breaches to their systems. CRN asks why the channel is seeing itself become a popular target for cybercriminals
Five resellers secure places on £150m Welsh IT framework
Contract covers IT hardware to larger customer organisations
4 key challenges facing Gelsinger as Intel's new CEO
The VMware boss is joining the chipmaker as it finds itself adrift and losing market share to rivals. CRN considers why he might be the best person to steer the company through its troubled waters
European IT channel on track for record breaking year in 2021, claims analyst
Market analyst Context says European IT channel now on track to break first ever €100bn-revenue year in 2021, despite pandemic pressures