Some leaders chase recognition. Phil Callow, managing director of ARK ICT Solutions Ltd, has built his reputation the opposite way—by showing up, again and again, for the people around him. Whether it's serving on the GTIA UK & Ireland Community Executive Council, running GTIA's M&A interest group, mentoring fellow members or simply picking up the phone to offer advice, Phil's approach to leadership is rooted in one idea: The channel gets stronger when its members lift each other up.
That consistency is exactly why he's been named the winner of the 2026 GTIA UK & Ireland Community Leadership Award, recognised for his outstanding leadership in bringing people together and creating opportunities for others, both within and beyond the GTIA community.
What accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of that led to this award?
I'm really happy to be involved with GTIA in so many ways, and I value my time with each part of it—whether that's the UK and Ireland Executive Council, my time on the Channel Development Advisory Council, running the M&A interest group, being a mentor in the mentorship programme, or just supporting a fellow member with some advice. All of these are such fantastic things to be involved in, and I'm loving the journey.
Where do you see the IT channel heading right now, and what trends do you think will define the next few years?
The movement of AI, particularly as a dark agent, is scary. I'm hoping the industry will continue to keep pace with fixes and solutions to counteract the bad actors. The over-inflated valuations of AI companies can't continue, and there will be a financial adjustment as a result, which will have fairly big consequences.
What keeps you or your team motivated to keep innovating and leading within the GTIA community?
The support network within GTIA is fantastic. Any member of staff I've brought into events to experience them has been impressed with the quality of the conversations and the opportunities to network. The connections we're making through GTIA will ripple into our future careers. It's so fantastic to be involved with the organisation on the UK & Ireland Executive Council.
What's a lesson or unexpected insight you've picked up through your work with GTIA?
The support from others has been fantastic—everyone is so supportive and very willing to give their time to assist others. The openness of the community to support and encourage each other has been brilliant, and it's one of the core foundations of what makes GTIA special.
What impact do you hope your work has on the industry—or on the next generation of channel leaders?
As we progress later into our careers, we all start to think toward some sort of legacy. We generally strive to leave the industry in a slightly better place than we found it. If that means encouraging the next generation or supporting others to succeed in their endeavours, that sounds like a superb legacy to me.
See the full list of 2026 UK & Ireland Spotlight Award Winners.
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