Channel Chat Podcast

#299 Michael Bateman: The team are everything.

#298 Kostandino Kustas: AI is lowering the barrier for attackers.

#297 Neil Lomax: People need to engage with other people.

#296 Jonathan Bartholomew: AI is changing the world for the better.

#295 Carl Henriksen and Ross McKenzie: The market is flying out here.

#294 Rob Demain: The attackers are winning right now.

AI is changing cybersecurity faster than most businesses realise. In this episode of Channel Chat, Rob Demain, CEO & Founder of e2e-assure joins Marc Sumner to discuss why cyber resilience now matters more than prevention, how attackers are using AI, and why the future of cyber defence will be AI vs AI. They cover: Why speed is everything in cyber defence The biggest mistakes businesses still make How AI is transforming both attackers and defenders What MSPs and IT leaders need to do next Why Rob believes "15 minutes is too long" when responding to threats A fascinating conversation for MSPs, IT leaders and business owners preparing for the next era of cybersecurity.

#293: Guy Hocking: Everyone thinks they're too small to get hacked... until it happens.

What does it really take to grow an MSP for more than 20 years? In this episode of Channel Chat, Marc Sumner sits down with Guy Hocking, Managing Director of Utilize PLC, to discuss his journey from infrastructure engineer to leading one of the UK's most respected Managed Service Providers. Guy shares why so many SMBs are still vulnerable to cyber attacks, why Cyber Essentials should be the minimum standard for every business, and how MSPs can help customers navigate the AI revolution without getting lost in the hype. The conversation also explores leadership, company culture, B Corp certification, sustainability, recurring revenue, partner relationships, and what separates great MSPs from the rest. In this episode: Guy's 22-year journey from engineer to Managing Director Why MSPs accelerate careers The biggest cyber security mistakes SMBs still make Why Cyber Essentials is the minimum standard AI opportunities vs AI threats for MSPs How Utilize is using AI internally Building a people-first culture that scales Becoming a certified B Corp Why customer retention beats acquisition The future of the UK MSP market Quick-fire opinions on AI, cyber security, channel growth and more

#292: Mario Veljovic: Everyone Said Distribution Was Dead. They Were Wrong.

What does it really take to build one of the Middle East's leading technology distributors? In this episode of Channel Chat, Marc Sumner sits down with Mario Veljovic, General Manager of VAD Technologies, to explore his 30-year journey through the IT channel. From selling PC components in the 1990s to helping power some of the region's biggest AI infrastructure projects, Mario shares the lessons he's learned about leadership, distribution, vendor relationships and why execution matters more than ever. They discuss: Why IT distribution continues to thrive despite decades of predictions of its demise How VAD Technologies built a business around disruptive technologies What vendors should look for when entering the Middle East market How AI is reshaping distribution and the partner ecosystem Why trust, execution and long-term relationships win in enterprise technology The biggest opportunities and challenges facing distributors, vendors and resellers in 2026 Whether you're a vendor, distributor, reseller, MSP or systems integrator, this episode is packed with practical insights from someone who has helped shape the Middle East technology channel. Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of the global IT channel.

#291 Sajeev Perunnelly: Dubai is a place that makes you grow.

#290 Alex Troshin: That EPYC Guy from AMD