Tag: Rich Hume

A former IBM partner chief and current COO  has secured the top job at Tech Data as current CEO Bob Dutkowsky cleans out his desk after nearly a decade at the top of the outfit.

Rich Hume will assume the CEO post on 6 June 2018, as Dutkowsky steps back to the role of executive chairman of the board.

Tech Data billed the announcement as the “culmination of the board’s leadership succession plan that capitalises on the strength of the Tech Data management team”.

Hume joined Tech Data in 2016, after 30-years at Biggish Blue including stints as GM of Global Business Partners and GM for Europe.

Tech Data needs a bit of a rethink after its disappointing Q4 results. It had been doing well up to that point with its annual revenues last year up  40 percent to $36.8 billion following its acquisition of rival Avnet Technology Solutions.

Charles Adair, lead independent director of the Tech Data Board, said: “Today’s announcement is the result of a thorough and thoughtful long-range leadership succession planning process undertaken by the board over the past several years.

“The board is confident that our plan provides a natural progression for Tech Data to continue to grow and thrive. Since joining the company in 2016, Rich has been a critical member of our executive team and has proven himself a strong leader with extensive industry experience and operational expertise. Importantly, having served as COO, Rich is intimately familiar with Tech Data’s business operations, and we are confident that he is the ideal candidate to succeed Bob as CEO.

“We are also thrilled that the company will continue to benefit from Bob’s wealth of experience and strategic guidance as he transitions to his new role as executive chairman of the board.”