Shepperd is returning to Tech Data after spending the last four years as Sales Director, Channels EMEA at Computer Associates. He was previously General Manager of Computer 2000’s Networking and Storage business units. Smitheman takes up her role having spent the past few months in the position on an interim basis. She previously worked for Tech Data in a number of strategic European roles. Until 2001, Alice was Commercial Director of the UK organisation.
Andy Gass, Managing Director of Computer 2000, says: “We are delighted to be welcoming both Andrew and Alice onto the UK Board of Directors. They are both highly talented and experienced individuals who have an excellent understanding of our business and command great respect throughout the industry. With his in-depth knowledge of the Enterprise market, Andrew is exactly the right person to lead the new Azlan into the next phase of its growth and development. Alice is equally well suited to her role – she has 12 years of experience working within the business in a variety of senior roles and is well-placed to help us move forward with our growth strategies.”
Commenting on his appointment, Shepperd says: “I’m thrilled to have been given this tremendous opportunity and very excited about the future prospects for Azlan. With its traditional strengths in enterprise networking backed by Tech Data’s unrivalled logistical capabilities, Azlan has unique value proposition that is ideally-suited to today’s competitive and rapidly changing market.”
Computer 2000 is equally well-positioned to build on its strengths in the broadline market place, says Smitheman: “Computer 2000 adds value to many different parts of the channel in many different ways today. Our business is designed to provide both the sales and marketing focus and operational support resellers need to build profitable business and to deliver on vendor targets. I’m thoroughly looking forward to taking that model forward and delivering positive results for our own business and all our partners.”
A number of other changes to the UK management team are also being announced today. At the end of this month Steve Russell is to leave his current position of UK Finance Director to take up a role within the Tech Data European organisation. He will be replaced by Phil James, currently Commercial Controller, who has been with the company for four years and has achieved great success both in his current position and previous role of Financial Controller.
Meanwhile, Logistics Director, Phil Hackney is to leave Computer 2000 at the end of January to take on an exciting challenge in another business sector. He will be replaced by Andy Johnson who has been with the company for over 12 years. He previously worked for Azlan and was instrumental in the successful integration of Azlan’s logistics operations with Tech Data’s. For the past two and a half years Johnson has been Operations Manager at the company’s Magna Park Distribution Centre.