Colin Brown

clock • 2 min read

Managing director, Softcat

What was your dream career as a child?

Lorry driver - the long, open roads, lunches at roadside cafes, listening to the radio all day long. Ah, the naivety of youth!

What has been your personal highlight of 2019?

With Softcat, taking the company through the $1bn revenue milestone - about two years earlier than I'd even dreamed of when I joined in 2012. And on a personal basis, completing the Great North Run in September, a truly life-affirming experience.

Which famous person deserves a (gentle) slap?

Ignoring politicians (too obvious, too many), I'd say Adam Neumann, the WeWork founder - an Icarus story if ever there was one.

Which of your 2019 predictions have come to pass?

None that I can recall, and it looks like Ireland to win the Rugby World Cup is another miserable prediction fail!

What TV show have you binge watched this year?

It was only four episodes but I binged on The Virtues, a series written by the unparalleled Shane Meadows and featuring Stephen Graham as well as original music by PJ Harvey. It was emotionally draining, the last episode utterly eviscerating - TV at its best.

How has 2019 been from a business perspective?

Excellent overall - strong growth in most areas and particularly pleased to see our hybrid cloud and datacentre business rocketing.

What annoys you most about your commute?

Most days it's fine, actually!

If you could witness one past event, what would it be?

My good friend from school, who's a music journalist and broadcaster, MCed the concert in Belfast in 1998 where Bono introduced David Trimble and John Hume as two men who were making history, referring to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement which signalled the end of nearly 30 years of extreme violence in Northern Ireland (where I'm from). I so wish I could have been there to witness it, and I so hope that this Brexit nightmare doesn't jeopardise the peace the people there fought so hard to enjoy.

How do you explain the channel to people?

We are like master chefs - we take the raw ingredients supplied by the vendors and add our own blend of ingenuity to turn them into delicious, exciting and desirable dishes! Every recipe is a well-guarded secret.

What have been your favourite and least favourite partner conference destinations?

My favourite - a few days in Budapest this year stands out. Least favourite - I'm so done with Vegas.

What is the biggest challenge facing the channel in 2020?

It's going to be fascinating to see how "market places", being driven by the big hosters, develop. It's another challenge the channel will need to face up to and identify ways to innovate, add value and deliver a superior customer experience.

 

You may also like

People

clock 18 November 2019 • 3 min read

People

clock 18 November 2019 • 1 min read

People

clock 18 November 2019 • 4 min read

Sign up to our newsletter

The best news, stories, features and photos from the day in one perfectly formed email.

More on People

Performanta CEO Guy Golan becomes chairman

Performanta CEO Guy Golan becomes chairman

The Maidenhead-based MSSP co-founder adds a third role to his job title

Kelsey Rees
clock 08 April 2024 • 2 min read
Channel veteran Smee pops up as CEO of cloud analysis vendor

Channel veteran Smee pops up as CEO of cloud analysis vendor

Grahame Smee, best known for his serial M&A success in the security distribution space, is looking to work with channel partners after taking the reins at Opexx Ltd

Sara Yirrell
clock 11 January 2024 • 2 min read
Former UKFast founder and CEO found guilty of rape in Manchester court

Former UKFast founder and CEO found guilty of rape in Manchester court

Following allegations of raping two women, Lawrence Jones was found guilty in court today

Andrea Gaini
clock 23 November 2023 • 1 min read

Highlights

Staff & Salaries 2022

Staff & Salaries 2022

A snapshot of pay and headcount trends in the UK channel

Doug Woodburn
clock 09 March 2022 • 1 min read
Midwich CEO on Nimans acquisition, 2021 results and return to pre-pandemic levels

Midwich CEO on Nimans acquisition, 2021 results and return to pre-pandemic levels

Stephen Fenby talks to CRN after Midwich’s 2021 results in which profitability exceeded pre-pandemic levels

Josh Budd
clock 08 March 2022 • 3 min read
4 more vendors suspend sales in Russia following Ukraine invasion

4 more vendors suspend sales in Russia following Ukraine invasion

IBM and Microsoft are among a number of vendors which have also announced that they will halt sales in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

clock 08 March 2022 • 3 min read