Ingram Micro has recruited former Westcon Group IBM software manager, Lee Welch, to run its Microsoft business.
Welch has spent 22 years in distribution, starting out on the warehouse floor packing boxes before moving into customer service, then sales team leadership and management. During a stint with Express Data, he held business management positions, before making the switch to Westcon Group three years ago as IBM software manager predominantly covering Tivoli and Lotus product lines.
Welch takes over the Microsoft business unit manager’s role from Peter Vanderschaar, who was promoted to a global infrastructure operations position in December. His promotion was part of a broader restructure of Ingram’s business which included the departure of marketing and sales director, John Walters.
“I’m enjoying the size of the business and portfolio – there are a broad range of products and solutions from licensing to OEM, packaged and hardware peripherals,” Welch said. “It’s a full management role, so I’m also enjoying the responsibility of P&L… and the fast-pace of the Ingram business.”
Welch’s top-line priorities are to align closer with Microsoft’s channel and market objectives, as well as work with the vendor on plans for the next financial year. He also highlighted the distributor’s expanding partner-facing capabilities including three dedicated Microsoft business development managers, and a dedicated solutions architect appointed in July last year.
“I love distribution – I have had the chance to work with vendors, but I love the dynamic at distribution level and managing the balance of vendor and customer relationships,” Welch added.
He reports directly to Ingram chief, Jay Miley, in the short-term until the distributor finds a new volume business unit general manager to replace Matt Sanderson, who returned to the UK to head up Ingram’s operations in that country.
