Exclusive: HP channel boss Sawyer to depart for top job at Lenovo

Sawyer to begin new role as Lenovo’s GM for the UK and Ireland in December

HP's UK and Ireland channel boss Neil Sawyer will move to Lenovo before the end of the year to take on the top role leading its UK and Ireland operations, CRN understands.

Sawyer became head of HP's UK and Ireland channel business in 2015, having previously worked at Samsung as head of enterprise channel sales and corporate strategy, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He will move to Lenovo in December where he will take over as general manager of the vendor's UK and Ireland operations.

Lenovo confirmed the news to CRN and said it would share more information "in due course".

During his six years at HP, Sawyer has tackled logistical conundrums created by Brexit, navigated HP's acquisition of managed print player Apogee and helped to keep the vendor's supply chain moving throughout the Covid crisis.

Sawyer meanwhile won CRN's Channel Chief of the Year at last year's Channel Awards.

Sources that spoke to CRN were unanimous that Sawyer will be "an outstanding asset" to Lenovo.

"He is an extremely strong advocate of the channel and an outstanding channel manager," one source said.

HP told CRN that Mark Davitt, print channel lead for UK&I, has replaced Sawyer as interim channel director.

"HP has named Mark Davitt as interim Channel Director for the UK&I market. Mark was previously the print channel lead for the market and replaces Neil Sawyer who has left HP. We thank Neil for his contributions to HP over the years and welcome Mark to his new interim position."