Speakers / Panellists:

Phil Drew - Keynote Speaker

Phil Drew is Group Director of Global Channel Operations at Mitel. Based out of the UK, Phil has amassed over 20 years working within B2B and B2C organisations in a wide variety of marketing, sales, and operational based roles.

Phil’s focus within Channel Operations is to drive the evolution of processes and performance ensuring that internal stakeholders and partner channels have the optimal tools, programs and data insights to drive growth and efficiencies.

Prior to Mitel, Phil worked for ShoreTel.inc, starting as a distribution account manager and transitioning through various roles to Director of Sales Operations. Before joining ShoreTel.inc, Phil worked within a UK based Telephony & IT Services reseller as Sales & Marketing Manager. Prior to working within the tech industry, he worked at a high-growth start up business, pioneering web-based services for financial services; leading marketing, branding and search engine optimisation services.

Josh Budd - Keynote Speaker

Josh Budd is a research manager for IDC’s Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) Partnering Ecosystems program. Based in the UK, Josh focuses on the evolution of go-to-market models, new digital value chains and the wider impact on partner ecosystems, exploring how current and future trends will impact the vendor, distributor, and partner landscape.

Prior to joining IDC, Josh gained seven years of experience as an editor and journalist covering the IT channel both in Europe and the UK. He joined IDC in 2022 having previously worked for Incisive Media at CRN UK as editor. Josh was previously editor of CRN sister title Channel Partner Insight.

Steve Newton - Keynote Speaker

Steve Newton, Digital Transformation lead for Finastra, is responsible for developing the digital channel strategy for Partners and Ecosystem team where he defines and implements partner channels to ensure best in class functionality and experience. Engagement strategies are high on his focus and he will be sharing how aligning cross functional teams brings a partner centric approach where helping with engagement and performance across all interactions and program elements combine for success

Natalia Vianden - Panellist

Natalia Vianden is an experienced channel professional with over 20 years of experience in the networking industry. She has a proven track record of devising and implementing strategic channel programs within the networking sector. Most notably, she launched the Global Channel Partner Program for Extreme Networks, integrating channel programs through five acquisitions. Since joining Extreme in 2000, Natalia has held a variety of channel roles within the company, expanding her knowledge and expertise over the years. She led the relationship with one of the company’s strategic alliance partners in EMEA, before subsequently being appointed to Channel Director in 2011. In 2012, Natalia began leading the Global Partner and Distribution programs. Natalia is laser focused on delivering the best outcomes to Extreme’s partners and joint customers and has helped earn the CRN 5-Star Partner Program Award for 8 consecutive years. She has extensive experience as a leader and presenter, and is an integral part of Extreme’s Partner Conferences. Recently Natalia moved into a new role reporting into the SVP of Channels to drive Global Strategic Partner Engagements as a conduit between executives and top strategic partners, and will lead formalizing “Voice of the Partner” Programs

Shaun Orpen - Panellist

An experienced Commercial /Marketing leader. With over 30 years Board level experience gained in a range of bluechip and SME technology/mobile organisations.
Currently, CEO and shareholder of a disruptive Software Development business, leading the international expansion into Europe and North America.
Previously part of the Executive Team that led Microsoft UK from £10M to £1B over 13 years, and then responsible for the £500m Orange business that sold to small, medium companies. Shaun has a track record of bringing his blue chip experience into smaller technology related businesses. Shaun delivers an analytical and strategic approach to building both scalable growth (advising and guiding companies on sales, marketing and partnership strategies) and longer term strategic value (by creating a strategic narrative and helping to maximise the ‘multiple’ in a future exit event). With a career spent in the world of technology from large Enterprise to Consumers, he is passionate about technology and how it is helping to shape our lives in business and as consumers.

Mathew Batterbee - Panellist

I am a Global Business Leader for all things Microsoft Business Applications. Enabling Microsoft Partners to grow their business is something I’m incredibly passionate about and put my all in to. At Pax8 I’m responsible for all things Dynamics 365, Power Platform and enabling partners to grow their practice and add more value to their customers. Coming from my Microsoft background I truly understand how Partners can use their Microsoft Partnership to their advantage. Saving time, effort and money to go to market faster and grow faster.

Radhika Dattani - Panellist

With >20 years commercial B2B sales experience in IT learning services industry and 4 years’ mentoring and management experience, Radhika is passionate about the impact technology has on careers and the premise we should always be learning. The IT Channel Industry is used to constant change and having to evolve as vendors and solutions change with customer demand. Radhika helps partners navigate these changes in partner programs to ensure they maintain skills and talent with a focus on technical requirements to ensure partners can be successful.

Louise Grant - Panellist

With over 15 years of experience working in channel operations for a number of major, blue-chip technology vendors, including Polycom, Avaya, 3Com and IBM.

With a highly regarded specialism in technology and deep understanding and knowledge of the channel, Louise co-founded Bowan Arrow with Andy Grant in 2009. Together, they launched the independent channel marketing consultancy to build stronger relationships between IT vendors and partners, maximising the effectiveness of their marketing initiatives and supporting sales for both parties.

Whether managing Partner Programs and Incentives or analysing data for Channel intelligence, Louise ensures any Partner initiatives are beneficial for both the vendor and partner communities.