1 Computacenter

For all Computacenter's recent globe-trotting, it is its UK business that was the "star performer" of 2020, according to CEO Mike Norris.

Speaking at the Canalys Channels Forum in October, Norris confirmed that Computacenter's UK arm has "materially outperformed" its German, French and US operations this year on the back of surging demand for large roll outs to support home workers.

Computacenter's UK operation only just clings on to poll position in this year's Top VARs, however, on the back of a flat calendar 2019.

It told us its UK gross invoiced income fell by two per cent £1.71bn in its year to 31 December 2019, edging out Softcat's equivalent figure by just £60m. Domestic revenue fell two per cent to £1.58bn, despite a 16 per cent hike in group revenues to £5.03bn.

It stressed its 2018 UK numbers were flattered by two one-off software deals worth a combined £71m.

The tables have turned in 2020, however, with the UK business defying COVID by posting a 7.2 per cent 1H revenue hike, even as Computacenter's German, US and French businesses achieved - at best - flat revenues. Product resale (or ‘technology sourcing' as Computacenter refers to it) led the way, rising 11 per cent to £643m, with professional services up 0.5 per cent to £54.9m. Managed services revenue dipped 3.5 per cent to £160.7m as COVID put paid to some contracts.

Computacenter's 2020 has been dominated by international expansion, with its recently closed acquisition of North American peer Pivot - concluded entirely virtually - set to double US revenues.

Its market value this year hit its highest point since the dotcom era. Talking to CRN in October, however, Norris struck a note of caution for 2021, warning that Brexit "has the potential to demoralise firms and slow us down", at least in the UK.