Great vendor innovation isn't just about the product—it's about the partner experience built around it. That's exactly what earned 1Password the 2026 GTIA UK & Ireland Innovative Vendor Award, recognizing the company for introducing impactful innovations that have meaningfully improved the customer experience and helped to measurably advance the wider IT channel.
In this Q&A, Olivia Donnell, director, channel sales EMEA at 1Password, talks about the global team effort behind standing up the company's MSP motion, why co-sell and clear, outcome-driven workflows are shaping the channel's next chapter, and what she's learned from watching partners build their businesses from the ground up.
What accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of that led to this award?
Team work, 100%. 1Password formally stood up the MSP motion just over a year ago and it has been a global team effort to bring it to this point so far.
Where do you see the IT channel heading right now, and what trends do you think will define the next few years?
Co-sell , services and clear workflows with a number attached as an outcome. The days of standalone are long over for vendors and partners alike, collaboration will be fundamental to success.
What keeps you or your team motivated to keep innovating and leading within the GTIA community?
How open and collaborative the community is.
What's a lesson or unexpected insight you've picked up through your work with GTIA?
Just how many brave individuals set up their own businesses and the sheer hard work and determination it takes to succeed.
What impact do you hope your work has on the industry—or on the next generation of channel leaders?
That young people coming in see that you win together. Channel is a team sport and you will be much more successful working as a team than on your own.
See the full list of 2026 UK & Ireland Spotlight Award Winners.
Follow GTIA on LinkedIn! #WeAreGTIA
