Unsworth axed by Avnet

John Unsworth the UK head at Horizon has been made by redundant by new parent Avnet Technology Solutions (ATS) but the US distributor has moved to calm fears that this will be the first of many to be pushed out of the door.

According to sources, Unsworth who had been UK managing director of Horizon before it was acquired by ATS was informed yesterday that his services were surplus to requirements.

His departure has led to uncertainty among others in Horizon’s organisation that they too may face the swinging axe but Sukh Rayat, senior vice president of sales at ATS, insisted this was not the case.

“A key element of all the acquisitions made by Avnet has been the people talent and this was no exception with Horizon,” he said.

“We believe we have more or less the right number people in the UK business but they are not always in the right place and where this is the case we have to monitor and make adjustments,” Rayat added. 

In fact, ATS has promoted Horizon CEO Gary Coburn to senior vice president of the product business group EMEA, Mark Walker who ran the storage team in the UK has taken on storage director PBG EMEA.

Sources close to the firm said Matt Tedstone, who had been Horizon sales director, along with Simon Welch and Wayne Gratton, marketing and technical directors respectively will both be handed European roles.

Avnet said it would be making further appointments in due course.