Ian Stretton

Experience

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  Raytheon

  Dec 1981 - Mar 1985

  Senior EMEA Systems Engineer - Airline & Financial Mainframes

  • Supporting British Caledonian, BA, American Airways, American Express

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  Mellordata Limited

  Mar 1985 - Mar 1986

  Senior Project & Systems Manager

  • 1 year government integration project contract.• Positive vetting attained.

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  Digital Micro Systems / Apricot

  Mar 1986 - Mar 1988

  Senior Systems Engineer

  • Part of the "HI-NEXT" 20Mhz network support team, designed to co-exist with 10 MHz Ethernet. • Provided support for hardware, CP/M, MS/DOS and MS-NET systems. • Support for Z-80 and Zenith x86 based server systems. Installation of network systems. • Component level investigation and repair. • VX file server installation, support and consultancy.

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  Zenith Data Systems

  Mar 1988 - Aug 1989

  Special Projects Technical Marketing Manager - UK/Europe

  • Running special projects; Birmingham SuperPrix, Computer Shows, press reviews etc.• Expert support of enterprise solutions.• Special project co-ordination as part of the Technical Marketing department.• Responsible for the support of Zenith systems to dealers, corporate accounts and end-users.• Supporting the sales team on new business and producing tenders to corporate clients. Arranging trade shows and road shows in conjunction with the marketing department.• Co-ordination of investigations on all Zenith hardware and software products including design changes to component level. Support for OEM customers i.e. Apricot, Hewlett Packard, Bull and British Telecom.• Special project management i.e. Birmingham Super Prix Formula 3000 race.• Instigation of the European Multimedia systems i.e. CD-ROM, graphics etc.• Relationship co-ordination for specific customers such as Microsoft, Lotus and Ashton Tate.• Responsible for the European Beta test program.Pre SalesSupporting the sales team on new business and producing tenders to corporate clients. Arranging trade shows and road shows in conjunction with the marketing department.Post SalesCo-ordination of investigations on all Zenith hardware and software products including design changes to component level. Support for OEM customers i.e. Apricot, Hewlett Packard, Bull, British Telecom.Achievements  Winning an award for support from the PC User Group. Installing the largest Teletext system outside of the BBC and ITV at the Birmingham Super Prix. Show less

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  Tulip Computers

  Aug 1989 - Sept 1992

  Regional Technical Support & Engineering Manager

  • Won the ASSET/ROMTEC award for support and customer service 2 years running.• Managed a team of 14 for pre and post sales support and engineering.• Setup and ran the Technical Services group and building.• Arranging for "Expert" coverage for the sales team on new business. Checking prospective tenders and presenting solutions to customers alongside the sales team.• Co-ordination of projects and outstanding problems. • Driving the resolution of design related issues via the design headquarters. • Writing the call logging and analysis system for in-house use to provide real time statistics on product reliability, problem status and departmental efficiency.Achievements • Winning the ASSET / ROMTEC Award for after sales service for two years running.• Topping the Technical Support Category from Sept 1989 to Aug 92.• Running support as a profit centre. Setting up and running the Support and Engineering building. Show less

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  Seagate Software - Vertias, Symantec

  Sept 1992 - Jan 1999

  EMEA & Nordics Product & Product Marketing Manager

  • Product Management & marketing for “Backup Exec’” in EMEA from initial 1.0 launch.• Managed product life cycles, sales analysis, inventory & pricing for all products.• Supported activities for the OEM Group with Apple, Microsoft, Dell, and HP.• Channel activities such as appearing on the Channel Vision satellite TV show.• Achieved ±3% accuracy for sales & product forecasting across EMEA.• Trade show and exhibition design and management.• Speaker at industry events.• Briefed and worked with creative agencies, press and IDC & Gartner in EMEA.• Pre-launch activity: Collating customer and market research. Writing Regional MRD’s including building business cases for customer needs. Writing launch and marketing plans. Briefing internal staff, partners and conducting non-disclosure meetings with corporate customers.• Post-launch activity: Conducting press interviews. Driving direct marketing and advertising campaigns, managing the products during their life cycle including performance analysis, managing version changes i.e. inventory levels, pricing, announcements etc.• Involvement with partner activities i.e. appearances on the Channel Vision satellite show, CD-ROM and web based multimedia.• Acting as a Company / Industry Spokesman. Co-writing press statements and releases.• Support for the Strategic Relationship Group i.e. Microsoft, Dell, Compaq, Hewlett Packard etc• Management of the European relationship for development of I2O and Fibre Technology, (SAN/NAS).• Creation of Product Marketing and Management in Europe.• Winning numerous awards for storage products.• Defining the plan to increase the European desktop business by a factor of more than 5.• Establishing market shares in new markets i.e. Eastern Europe.• Instigation of CD-ROM cover promotions and creating closer relationships with European press.Previous Position - International Technical Services Manager Show less

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  Fujitsu

  Jan 1999 - Jul 2000

  EMEA Marketing Intelligence & Business Development Manager

  • Focused on Workflow, Document Management and Internet hosting/community products.• Management of the PR company relationship.• Co-writing press statements and press releases.• Involved in the production of collateral such as product guides, brochures, Internet/Intranet systems and electronic information services. • Responsible for researching markets, segments and competitors.• Development of marketing plans based on research and budgets.• Design of graphics for shows.Achievements• Increased company profile.• Identified key segments for company focus.Previous Position EMEA Product Marketing Manager – Security Division• Focused on security and VPN products - TWISS.• Giving product and company presentations at seminars, conferences, shows and meetings.• Part of the “Hole in One” strategy project.• Responsible for all EMEA security products. Pre launch activity co-ordination including writing marketing plans, conducting press interviews, driving direct marketing and advertising campaigns, internal product training and launch training.• The Security Division IPR was sold to Nokia. Show less

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  Seagate Technology

  Jul 2000 - Sept 2001

  EMEA Product & Product Marketing Manager - Removable Storage Solutions

  • Re-employed to launch LTO Ultrium Fibre Channel, SAS & SCSI tape in EMEA.• Represented Seagate on the EMEA LTO Consortium committee.• Managed Travan and DAT DDS SATA & SCSI storage products.• Briefed and worked with creative agencies, press and IDC & Gartner in EMEA.• Speaker at industry events.• Trade show and exhibition design and management.• Rebranding of removeable storage solutions.• Responsible for product management and marketing of all Removable Storage Systems in EMEA.• Focused on Travan, DDS and LTO storage technology.• Responsible for all European, Middle East and African Storage markets.• Organisation of Seagate’s role in industry events including speaking duties.• Involved in the production of collateral such as product guides, brochures, Internet/Intranet systems and electronic information services. • Responsible for researching markets, segments and competitors, including the development of marketing plans enabling effective targeting and market penetration.• Briefing of and working with creative agencies.• Working with OEM partners i.e. Dell, IBM, LaCie and channel partners i.e. Ideal, Ingram, Actebis• Sales forecasting and driving revenue.• EMEA spokesman for tape and exchangeable media activities.• Increased company profile through advertising, presswork and keynote speaking.• Identified key segments for company focus.• Launched Ultrium LTO as a new technology in EMEA.• Speaker at StorageTek sponsored event in Prague.Achievements Sales increased by 350% Increased company profile. Identified key segments for company focus. Launched LTO as a new technology in EMEA. Show less

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  The Lapworth Consultancy

  Sept 2001 - Dec 2002

  Sales Manager UK&I

  • Developed new sales team, forecasting, commission, inside and online sales infrastructures.• Member of the senior management team with full departmental P&L responsibility.• Part of the events and motivation teams.• Led the company to “HP Centre of Excellence” & “Microsoft Education Centre” status.• Employed to set-up and run new sales department and to integrate existing sales referral system.• Develop sales forecasting, commission structures and related sales infrastructure.• Use marketing experience to help develop and integrate new marketing department into the sales cycle.• Drive growth through developing new business.• Increase business to existing customers.• Develop partnerships with companies with complimentary skills.• Develop inside sales and an e-commerce and on-line customer system.• Create true account and customer management.• Member of the senior management team with full P&L responsibility.• Account management of premium accounts.Achievements Exceeded both group and personal sales targets every month, primarily through new customers. Put new sales team in place. Achieved addition accreditations for the company including Hewlett Packard Centre of Excellence and Microsoft Education Centre. Increased the focus on electronic software distribution. Playing a key role in setting new company direction. Developing a team environment where goals are clearly defined and attained by sharing knowledge. Part of Events and Motivation teams. Show less

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  UltraBac Software

  Dec 2002 - Jun 2004

  International Channel Manager

  • Responsible for sales, marketing and product management in EMEA• Re-organised and reduced account overhead by identifying strongest partners and focus on these with localised incentive programs to grow sales.• Built business by developing new forecasting, commission and incentive infrastructure.• Employed as first non-US based employee.• Re-organisation of existing channel, stimulating customers and looking for new opportunities.• Developing forecasting, commission and related sales infrastructure.• Use marketing experience to help develop local programs to increase sales.• Toured major partners for training and business development.• Built new foundations of International business. Show less

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  BridgeHead Software

  Jun 2004 - Jan 2006

  Product Marketing Manager

  • Set-up & managed PR & telemarketing relationships driving sales into targeted vertical markets.• Produced analysis of file archiving partners for competitive & development purposes.• Introduced Market Requirement Documents & related planning into product process.• Trade show and exhibition design and management.• Communicate technical concepts in a clear and understandable manner.• Provide the interface between development and sales, (including the channel).• Act as storage consultant & project architect.• Evangelist for company & products to end-users, partners & the channel.• Production of presentations & related sales materials. Show less

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  Microtronica Europe - A Division of Arrow

  Jan 2006 - Sept 2007

  Storage & Applications Consultant Product Manager

  • Expanded and managed the storage product portfolio into the enterprise market.• Established appliance based product offerings through partnerships.• Drove and managed the Microsoft Embedded Solution Provider products.• Assist sales in identifying and closing opportunities.• Act as storage consultant & project architect.• Evangelist for company & products to end-users, partners & the channel.• Production of presentations & related sales & marketing materials.• Carrying out internal & external sales training.• Helping to get ASUS networking and server products established in the UKI market. Show less

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  Darkfinity Consulting - Product Management, Marketing, Sales & Business Development

  Sept 2007 - May 2015

  Self Employed Consultant / Owner

  Providing Product Management, Marketing, Sales and Business Development services on a project and contract basis, including:Principle contracts:Channel Chargers LLCEMEA Regional Sales & Marketing Director.Building and running sales channels for US companies in EMEA.Attending SNIA events as part of the labs team.Pivotstor LLCWorldwide Appliance Product & Marketing DirectorBackup, Archiving, ILM and Security.Created Archiving and Security Appliance product line. Show less

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  Pivotstor

  Sept 2007 - Dec 2009

  Worldwide Archiving Product & Marketing Director

  • Directed the design of Data Storage & Security Appliances from first concept to launch in 3 months.• Produced detailed market analysis, PRD, MRD, GTM, Sales and Marketing documentation.• Designed & produced all marketing collateral and brochures and defined pricing models.• Conducted press, analyst & channel seminars including tours of the US & Europe.

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  Channel Chargers

  Dec 2009 - May 2014

  Regional Director - EMEA & Nordics

  • Building and running distribution & reseller channels in EMEA for US companies: WD Arkeia - Sales Manager UK&I• Archiving and backup software and appliances.• Closed first worldwide deal for flagship appliance.• Speaker at VMUG events. Bocada - Regional Channel Sales Director• Centralised data protection management and reporting solution for enterprise data.• Closed first worldwide deal for new Prism product.

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  Outbound Field Marketing Services Limited

  May 2014 - Oct 2016

  Fujitsu Enterprise Business Development Manager

  Fujitsu Enterprise Business Development ManagerDeveloping enterprise storage and server channel business including:• Server Virtualisation.• Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, (VDI).• Clustering - Server and Storage.• SAN and NAS Storage Arrays.• Backup Appliances.• Storage Management and Archiving.• De-duplication.• Scale Out Storage.• High Performance Computing (HPC).

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  Contracting - Looking for the right permanent role

  Oct 2016 - Mar 2018

  Contracting/Consulting

  Principle contract: Outbound Field Marketing Services - May 2017 to March 2018strettoni@holfstret.com

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  Dimensions UK

  Oct 2016 - Feb 2017

  Group Product Manager

  Dimensions provide research-based, outcomes and focused services for people with learning disabilities and autism. Alongside supported living and residential care, Dimensions also offer vital specialist services including sector leading Positive Behaviour Support.

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  ASUS

  Mar 2018 - Jan 2024

  Server & Workstation Account Manager

  Building and running 2 tier channel for Asus server & workstation products. Evangelising entire Asus range.• Engaging with existing channel to increase business through distribution, resellers and SI partners.• On boarding new channel partners to widen the channels.• Appointing build partners for B2B whole system supply from Asus barebones products.

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  Marketing Director

  Jan 2024 - now

  Marketing Director