2025 Issue #8 - This week in the ICT Channel
Comms Dealer's roundup of this week's news brings you the latest updates from the ICT channel. Stay informed and ahead of the curve by subscribing to our weekly insights and industry news!
Aequitas Network set to celebrate and champion ICT industry inclusion
BPL Business Media has launched the Aequitas Network, a community initiative that aims to champion and support gender equality in the ICT industry.
The first event will take place at The Sheraton Grand (Piccadilly, London, May 15th 2025) with a focus on fostering allyship and developing inclusive workplaces while celebrating female leaders and talent.
The Aequitas Network will bring together female leaders in the ICT partner community and provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in the industry, forge connections with female D&I champions, and gain new perspectives through shared experiences and special guest speakers including Baroness Ayesha Hazarika and adventurer Bonita Norris .
“A key way to accelerate gender equality in the channel is to celebrate female leaders while supporting womens’ advancement in the channel,” said BPL MD Michael O'Brien . “The launch of the Aequitas Network also underlines the importance of networking and collaboration between female D&I champions in driving the equality agenda forwards.”
Thea Sztejka , MD of event sponsor BT Wholesale , added: “The Aequitas Network is a fitting initiative for an inspiring community of diversity champions who lead by example and advocate for workplace inclusion, so that all people can be their authentic selves, have equal opportunities and a brighter future. The Aequitas Network also emphasises the need to support these goals through collaboration and celebration.”
Kathryn Platt , Head of Indirect at event sponsor Vodafone Business , commented: “Connecting and networking with like-minded leaders in the ICT industry can only increase the momentum of gender equity in the workplace. The focus on removing barriers to gender equality, combined with a celebration of women leaders and female talent, is what makes the Aequitas Network an impactful community of industry role models.”
Agilitas IT Solutions completes executive team with new COO
Agilitas IT Solutions Limited has appointed Michelle Would as Chief Operating Officer to complete the company’s newly formed executive team, meaning it is well-positioned to continue and drive its growth strategy.?
The appointment follows a series of executive appointments at the company including Sara Wilkes (She/Her) joining as new CEO, Angela Whitty welcomed as Non-Executive Director, Gary Lomas assumed the role of Chief Revenue Officer, and Kirsty Walker was named Chief Financial Officer. ?
With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, Would joined Agilitas as Director of Customer Experience in June last year, where she was responsible for leading Agilitas’ customer experience strategy, as well as launching the company’s new Voice of the Customer programme.
Prior to joining Agilitas, Michelle designed and led the European Service Centre at SCC, bringing experience in driving innovation through services and operational excellence.
In her new role, Would will ensure that customers remain at the forefront of everything, while working closely with the executive team to support the wider business.?
Sara Wilkes, CEO of Agilitas commented: “Michelle’s leadership will be instrumental in optimising our operations, further enhancing our customer experience and accelerating our company values.”?
ICT Channel Awards...
The Channel Champions Awards 2025 will recognise the full range of teams who contribute to building winning channel organisations.
Great things are achieved when a group of colleagues unite and pull together to achieve a common goal. At Comms Dealer we are fortunate to see this every day in the sector we are proud to be a part of.
Register for entry forms, tips and guidelines at Channel Champions Entry deadline 8th May
Daisy acquires direct customer base with AllPoints deal
AllPoints Fibre Networks (APFN) and Daisy Communications have signed a long-term strategic partnership for national full fibre services, that will allow Daisy to benefit from APFN’s?aquila?wholesale platform and sell?to premises through a single API-first platform.
As part of the partnership, which launches with immediate effect, Daisy will acquire APFN’s B2B direct customer base, which was previously managed under the Giganet brand.
APFN and Daisy have both confirmed that all customers will maintain the same level of service at the same in-contract price point as part of the migration and also benefit from Daisy’s services and product suite.
Jarlath Finnegan , Group CEO of AllPoints Fibre Networks?said: “The Daisy deal represents another big milestone for APFN, and Daisy now has access to a large full fibre wholesale UK offering which will benefit our loyal customers.”
SME ambitions hampered by poor data insight, says report
New research from K3 Advantage reveals that economic challenges have prompted an increase in the number of UK SMEs considering a sale of their business in 2025 - however, their ambitions to divest or refinance their company may be seriously hampered by a lack of access to the meaningful data needed to support these critical milestones.
The survey of 250 SME founders and owners throughout the UK, revealed that 41% of SMEs say they are more likely to consider a sale, investment or refinancing in the 12 months ahead, compared to the previous 12 months.
Around one in ten (11%) said they explored an exit in 2024, rising to 14% considering it in 2025 – an increase of 27%.
However, the research also revealed businesses could have an inaccurate view of how they are performing before they approach a significant financial transaction.
Sam Phillips , Founding Managing Director of K3 Advantage said: “This research highlights a significant disconnect. Clearly businesses feel their data is supportive of their day-to-day operations, but they are overlooking the true potential of understanding what the data is really telling them; having the ability to recognise growth potential, forecast risks and opportunities presents their business for a transaction with the strongest narrative to help them realise their ambitions.
Thanks for reading and we hope to see you back here next Friday for the latest news update. Be sure to subscribe at the top of this newsletter to get your copy.