Some leaders measure success by their own growth. Chloe Mann, sales manager at Brigantia, measures it by the growth of everyone around her—from the 15-person sales team she's built and coached, to the mentees she's guided through her own experience as a mentee within the GTIA mentorship programme, to the wider Global Women in Technology Interest Group she champions as vice chair.
That commitment to lifting others up is exactly why Chloe has been named the winner of the 2026 GTIA Future Leader Award, recognized for demonstrating innovation, entrepreneurial success and meaningful industry impact over the past 12 months.
What accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of that led to this award?
There are two things that really stand out for me. The first is growing and leading a high-performing sales team, which has expanded to 15 people since I stepped into the sales manager role at Brigantia. In this role, I've had the privilege of helping individuals build their confidence, refine their skills and make good progress in their careers. Having the chance to watch someone go from not realising their potential or lacking in confidence to succeeding in their role is definitely one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
The second is my work leading women in tech content over the last couple of years through both my role at Brigantia and in the wider community as vice chair of the Global Women in Technology Interest Group at GTIA. I've had lots of opportunities to learn and share my experience in the women in tech community, including creating and participating in various initiatives and webinars, such as hosting a women in tech panel and facilitating a session on inclusive leadership and allyship. All these opportunities have been incredibly meaningful, providing a great learning experience and a platform to hear from a wider range of perspectives and experiences.
Where do you see the IT channel heading right now, and what trends do you think will define the next few years?
When it comes to trends, it's impossible not to talk about AI. It's one of the biggest forces shaping our industry, and it's going to be extremely interesting to see where it goes over the next few years. What we're seeing right now is its ability to drive both innovation and fuel the sophistication of cyber threats. What this means is businesses will only continue to increase how much they prioritise cybersecurity as the need to stay agile and focus on resilience and growth. Alongside this, we're also seeing rising compliance and regulatory requirements placing greater demand for stronger governance and certifications from channel businesses.
Talent and skills shortages will continue to be a real challenge for the industry, I think, particularly in attracting and retaining diverse talent. Ensuring equal opportunities for women and other underrepresented groups will be essential for the industry to thrive. I believe the organisations that will get ahead of this are those who value and invest in inclusion, mentorship and professional development. They will be the ones who stand out and lead change in the channel over the coming years.
What keeps you or your team motivated to keep innovating and leading within the GTIA community?
What motivates me the most is seeing tangible impact. This can be working with a partner to solve a challenge or watching a colleague gain confidence and grow professionally through mentoring. I recently mentored a young woman during a work experience placement, giving her insight into what a career in tech could look like. Moments like that are exactly what remind me of why this work matters.
I'm also driven by the opportunity to create more space for women in tech and improve representation across the industry. Being surrounded by passionate leaders across GTIA who are equally committed to delivering meaningful initiatives makes the work feel purposeful, and having the opportunity to contribute to a stronger, more inclusive channel community, one that supports growth, is important to me and something I really value.
What's a lesson or unexpected insight you've picked up through your work with GTIA?
One of the biggest lessons I've learned through my work with GTIA is that leadership is really about helping create opportunities for others. This shift in mindset has changed how I approach my role entirely, and I've come to appreciate just how strong community can be when you share experiences with others. It helps accelerate learning and growth in ways that working in isolation never could.
Something I didn't expect through my work is how much mentorship works both ways. Taking part in the GTIA mentorship programme was a great example of this: As much as it's helped me support others entering the sector, it's also shaped my own leadership skills. I've seen firsthand how conversations on inclusivity help ensure diverse voices are heard and brought to the forefront. Small actions, whether a webinar, a panel or a mentoring session, can leave a lasting impact on someone's career. Often more than you'd realise at the time.
What impact do you hope your work has on the industry—or on the next generation of channel leaders?
More than anything, I hope my work and my experiences inspire more women and underrepresented groups to pursue and thrive in tech leadership careers. My goal is to help build a channel community that's genuinely inclusive and supportive, where people feel they belong and can grow.
I also hope to encourage future leaders to see the value in prioritising collaboration, mentorship and advocacy in their own careers. If I can help build stronger teams, stronger partner relationships and a culture where diverse perspectives are genuinely valued, that's the kind of impact I want to be known for. Ultimately, as someone who's spent eight years progressing through the channel myself, I want to show that real leadership comes from supporting others, sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for the next generation to succeed.
See the full list of 2026 UK & Ireland Spotlight Award Winners.
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