CRN Women & Diversity in Channel Awards - Finalist Q&A with Dylan Aupetit Senior Global Partner Manager at World Wide Technology

Dylan Aupetit talks being a finalist at this year's CRN Women & Diversity in Channel Awards

Why do you think awards like the Women & Diversity in Channel Awards matter?

The CRN Women & Diversity Awards matter because they shine a light on role models who are breaking barriers and driving change in our industry. For me, it’s more than recognition, it’s about inspiring others, especially young people from all backgrounds, to see what’s possible. This award who reminds us that diversity and inclusion aren’t just the right things to do, they fuel innovation, strengthen partnerships and shape the future of our industry.

What would winning this award mean to your company?

Winning this award would be a proud moment for World Wide Technology, as it reflects our commitment to building culture where everyone is celebrated and talent can thrive. It would recognise the hard work of our teams in driving meaningful change, not just within WWT but across the wider industry.

What would you say is your company’s proudest achievement over the past year?

The proudest moment for World Wide Technology in 2025 is seeing the impact of our partnerships not just in driving innovation and business growth, but in how we’ve supported our people, clients and communities. From advancing AI and digital transformation with our partners to deepening our commitment to WWT For ALL to sustainability, 2025 has been about proving that business success and positive societal impact go hand in hand. For us, it’s about being recognised as a company that leads with purpose while delivering meaningful outcomes globally.

What have been the biggest challenges of 2025 so far and how have you overcome them? How have your people helped with that?

One of the biggest challenges for me in 2025 has been navigating rapid technological change while keeping everyone aligned, safe and motivated. I’ve addressed this by fostering a collaborative and trusted environment, where workplace safety, open communication and shared goals are prioritised. By breaking down complex challenges into actionable strategies, we have helped colleagues and partners upskill, work together effectively and achieve common objectives. At the same time, we celebrate success by giving back to the community and participating in inspiring events, ensuring growth is meaningful for both people and business.

How do you think the channel has changed over the past year and what changes do you think it still needs to make?

In my opinion, over the past year, the UK tech channel has evolved rapidly, with growth in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity driving demand for skilled talent. However, there’s still a significant gap: Black women make up only 0.07% of the UK tech workforce, highlighting the urgent need for more inclusive recruitment and career development.

To change this, the industry must continue to expand access to opportunities, especially for underrepresented groups, and focus on skills-based hiring to match talent with high-demand areas.

What do you see as the main opportunities for the channel in the coming year? How do you plan to capitalise on those opportunities?

In my opinion, the main opportunity in the tech channel over the coming year lies in leveraging emerging technologies like AI, cloud, and cybersecurity to help customers transform their businesses. There’s also a huge chance to strengthen partner ecosystems by fostering collaboration across vendors, suppliers, and end customers, creating value that goes beyond individual transactions. To capitalise on this, I plan to focus on strategic partnerships and growth.