Nine standout contributors to the IT channel have been named winners of the 2026 UK & Ireland Spotlight Awards by the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA), the nonprofit membership community representing and connecting the global IT channel.
This year’s winners were celebrated last night at the GTIA UK & Ireland Community Forum & Spotlight Awards reception and dinner held at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, UK.
“Congratulations to our 2026 UK & Ireland Spotlight Award recipients,” said MJ Shoer, Chief Community Officer at GTIA. “Their leadership and active contributions continue to strengthen the GTIA community and wider technology ecosystem. It’s a privilege to recognise their achievements over the past year, and we thank them for the positive impact they’ve made.”
Four individuals and five organisations have been recognised with 2026 UK & Ireland Spotlight Awards:
Phil Callow, Managing Director of ARK ICT Solutions Ltd, won the Community Leadership Award for his outstanding leadership in bringing people together and creating opportunities for others, both within and beyond the GTIA community.
Chloe Mann, Sales Manager at Brigantia, won the Future Leader Award for demonstrating innovation, entrepreneurial success and meaningful industry impact over the past 12 months.
Michelle Frost, Channel Marketing Manager at Opentext Ltd, won the Advancing Women in Technology Leadership Award, serving as a role model and driving gender equality across the industry.
Subramani Rao, Senior Manager in Cybersecurity Solutions Strategy at Acronis, secured the Cybersecurity Leadership Award for his commitment and passion to strengthening cybersecurity resilience, and deepening participation in GTIA’s cybersecurity programmes.
Acronis itself took home the Advancing Diversity in Technology Leadership Award for championing a more inclusive, equitable, and forward-looking technology channel.
Purple Frog Systems Ltd won the IT Service Provider (ITSP) Award for delivering high-quality solutions and serving as a trusted advisor for customers, enhancing their operations, growth, productivity and long-term success.
1Password won the Innovative Vendor Award for introducing impactful innovations that have meaningfully improved the customer experience and helped to measurably advance the wider IT channel.
Renaissance Contingency Services Limited secured the Innovative Distributor Award for its creativity, leadership and forward-thinking approach that have driven meaningful transformation in shaping the direction of the global IT channel.
MSP Finance Team won the Associate Member Award for demonstrating outstanding engagement in GTIA activities, and for making a positive impact on the lives and careers of channel professionals.
More information about the Spotlight Awards, including the nomination and selection process, can be found at gtia.org.
About the Global Technology Industry Association
The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is the only vendor-neutral, 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership community connecting and representing the worldwide IT channel. We set our members up for success by providing benefits that include trusted resources and networking opportunities. In addition, the association sets industry standards that enable companies to build sustainable, secure and profitable businesses in an ever-changing technology landscape. Internationally, GTIA represents hundreds of thousands of professionals from more than 2,400 ITSPs, vendors, distributors and other companies serving the IT channel. For more information, visit gtia.org.
