The channel is reeling after Dell unveiled former Westcoast commercial director Andy Dow as its first UK channel director.

CRN last week revealed that Dow had left HP distributor Westcoast following seven years working closely alongside chairman, Joe Hemani (CRN, 12 November).

Now Dow has sensationally resurfaced at direct-selling behemoth Dell, where he will be responsible for "developing its UK channel strategy and managing this business end-to-end”.

The vendor, whose chief executive Michael Dell earlier this year declared its direct-selling mantra was no longer “a religion” (CRN, 7 May), is in the process of developing a formal channel strategy for the UK.

In a letter to CRN last month, Josh Claman, whom Dell recently appointed as its vice president of EMEA channels, said the process would “take time”.

“We are now in the process of listening to our current and prospective partners and discussing their business needs. This process takes time. It is precisely because Dell is serious about the channel for the long term that we are not rushing into the rollout of a new set of initiatives,” he stated.

Further reading:

Dell poised to deal with channel

Dow leaves Westcoast

Dell tight-lipped over distribution

Dell evaluates EqualLogic channel