Alanzo Blackstock
VP, global partnerships and channels, ServiceNow
What has been your personal highlight of 2026?
It’s been a busy year and one of change for me. I have been working in an interim position for much of the year, leading the EMEA Channel business at ServiceNow. More recently, I have taken on a new role at ServiceNow, heading up our Global partnerships in EMEA. But my big personal highlight has to be taking my wife, Paula, with me to Maui, for the ServiceNow Winners Circle, an annual event held in Hawaii to celebrate top-performing employees. It was just fantastic and Paula got to meet one of her hero’s, Andre Agassi!
Which tech figurehead has impressed you the most this year, and why?
Sam Altman of Open AI. I like his thinking on the societal role of AI. He recently stated that “The challenge with AI is not just building it—it’s making sure it aligns with human values.” I am impressed that he is leading the conversation on AI that must be developed with foresight, fairness, and strong ethics.
What was your first job in the channel?
My first job in the channel was actually with Alcatel Data Networks. I was a Project Manager, leading a number of large Cisco deployments. I joined Cisco later on in my career and did several sales roles, before taking on my first channel sales role as a Manager or Cisco’s Gold Partners in the UK.
What’s your personal sustainability commitment for 2026?
I already have an electric car, which has been a great benefit for me. I think I would like to do more in terms of donating or reselling things that I no longer need / never really needed.
What’s one hidden talent or skill your colleagues wouldn’t suspect you have?
Not a talent or a skill. But most of my colleagues do not know that I am an introvert.
What’s your advice for new graduates/apprentices in the channel, in three words?Develop AI skills!
What was your first day in your current role like?
That was 1st September this year. Thing I have always found when moving roles internally is that there tends not to be a clear transition from one role to the other. So my first day was quite uneventful - more of the same
Who has been the most influential figure in your career so far?
Several years ago at Cisco, I was selected to join a Transformational Leadership program called ‘Walk the Tightrope’, led by Justine Lutterodt, the Director of the Center for Synchronous Leadership. Much of the learning focused on the balance of personal values and corporate success. Justine and her program really helped me to identify some of the beliefs that I had that were limiting my ability to grow both professionally and personally. She probably does not know it, but it was a transformative moment for me.