CDW’s latest senior leadership appointment marks a “decisive step” in its services strategy, its UK&I MD has told IT Channel Oxygen.
The global IT solutions provider this morning filled a long-standing gap in its SLT as it unveiled former Computacenter, Daisy and Digital Space exec John Holt as Senior Director of Professional & Managed Services UK&I.
The move comes six months after UK&I MD Penny Williams opened up on her services ambitions for CDW’s 2,000-employee local operation.
Despite earmarking it for expansion, Williams said she had deliberately held off appointing someone to lead CDW’s services business until she had “got closer” to it herself.
“John’s appointment is a decisive step in our services strategy,” Williams told IT Channel Oxygen today.
“He brings the operational discipline and customer‑first mindset we need to scale outcomes across UK&I.”
Holt joins CDW from Digital Space, where he spent seven years as COO and CCO. His CV also includes a 15-year spell at Computacenter and two-year stint running Daisy Corporate Services.
Holt’s services jolt
CDW’s UK business grew “double digits” in its latest quarter, CEO Christine Leahy revealed as she heaped praise on its “standout performance” in an “unsettled” market.
The world’s largest reseller saw total net sales pogo 4% year on year to $5.7bn in the three months to 30 September 2025.
NASDAQ-listed CDW hasn’t made a UK acquisition since it entered the country in 2015 via its purchase of Kelway.
Last July, Williams hinted that M&A is now on the table as CDW looks to bolster its managed services business here.
Holt has “successfully led operational and commercial workstreams across multiple acquisitions”, CDW noted.
Services generated £159m of CDW’s £1.11bn UK turnover in calendar 2024, according to recently filed annual accounts.
“By unifying our professional and managed services around measurable value, we’ll help customers reduce risk, accelerate time‑to‑value, and realise more from their technology investments,” Williams said.
“It’s about dependability, partnership, and making complex change feel simple.”
