WATCH: GTIA Leaders highlight community, data strategy and UK growth at ChannelCon EMEA

At ChannelCon EMEA in London, GTIA leaders Dan Scott, Nancy Hammervik, and Hollie Whittles joined CRN’s Matt Harris to discuss how GTIA membership is delivering real-world value to IT and cybersecurity professionals in the UK and beyond.

“The nice thing about the journey that we’re all on as a community is everybody’s goals are different,” said Dan Scott, Chair, GTIA UL & Ireland Community Executive Council; IT Nation community director at ConnectWise. “But the journey has so many similarities that we can help each other, accelerate each other’s journey, and seize opportunities along the way.”

Nancy Hammervik, Executive Industry Advisor, GTIA, emphasised GTIA’s vendor-neutral approach, noting that the organisation’s only agenda is to help members grow. “We provide a lot of research, a lot of industry insight,” she said. “We do studies on the state of the channel, cybersecurity, and how AI is transforming our market—and we pair that with actionable advice.”

GTIA’s commitment to education and insight was further demonstrated by the launch of a new UK guidebook, The Future is Data-Driven: A Board-Level Blueprint for Al Success, introduced by Hollie Whittles, GTIA UK & Ireland Community Vice-Chair, Information Security & HR Director, Purple Frog Systems. “It’s a blueprint for what to do with your data,” she explained. “What are your business goals? What data do you have? What systems are in place? And what’s your governance plan around AI?”. The guidebook, which launched at ChannelCon EMEA, is designed to help organisations of all sizes make smarter decisions with their data and prepare for the ethical and strategic implications of AI adoption.

Looking ahead, the GTIA UK & Ireland community has ambitious plans for 2026. “We’re getting back on the island of Ireland to commit to our Irish members,” said Scott. “We’re also expanding our advisory councils to reflect what members want—whether that’s AI, workforce development, or cybersecurity.”

Hammervik added, “This is a very exciting next chapter for a 45-year-old trade association. We have a singular focus now on our membership.”

For solution providers, GTIA offers not only a sense of community - but a real strategic resource for navigating industry change, accessing education and staying ahead of market trends.