CRN Women in Channel Q&A: Acronis

clock • 1 min read

Ronan McCurtin, vice president of Northern Europe at Acronis, on why Acronis is supporting CRN Women in Channel 2020

Why is Women in Channel an important issue for you and your company?

Acronis relies on its channel to deliver its world-class solutions to our partners and end users. Therefore, it's important to us that the channel represents all partners and all end users. Personally I have three girls, love technology and want our channel to be a place which welcomes diversity and fairness.

How do you think we can get more women into technology?

Some industries are male biased by their inherent male and female stereotypes. We need to show the diversity of roles within the channel. There are many roles within the channel that offer women an opportunity to excel. Channel is ultimately about relationships and we need women in these roles as well, to further develop businesses.

What do you think should be done to enable more women to rise through to the more senior roles in the IT sector?

Positive discrimination. Let's be honest it wasn't long ago that women had to give up their jobs in the UK when they got married. This has set Women in the Channel back and we need to promote women to senior roles based on merit but also positively balancing what has happened in the past. 

What's your one piece of advice for younger people looking for a career in the IT sector?

Get a broad range of experience from all views in the channel… the vendor, the distributor and the reseller. Learn to love technology and the problems it solves and to put your customers first.

You may also like
International Women's Day: Eight channel leaders on how they made an impact in 2023

Vendor

Here's what eight female channel leaders have to say about their biggest achievements of the year

clock 08 March 2024 • 3 min read
Women and Diversity in Channel Awards 2024: NOMINATIONS OPEN!

Reseller

The entry deadline for this year's awards is Friday 12 April, 11.59pm

clock 09 February 2024 • 1 min read
WATCH: Women in Tech Fest Q&A with Softcat's Polly Jacob: The challenges and opportunities for early careers professionals.

Reseller

Polly Jacob, senior engagement, diversity and inclusion advisor at Softcat, on the opportunities and challenges

clock 23 October 2023 • 1 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

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
Women in Tech Festival: Keynote speaker, Rupal Patel, on addressing the visibility gap

Women in Tech Festival: Keynote speaker, Rupal Patel, on addressing the visibility gap

For ex-intelligence analyst, Rupal Patel, the visibility gap for women in tech is as much a systemic issue as it is an individual one

CRN
clock 19 September 2023 • 3 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