Neil Sawyer leaves Lenovo

Partners express shock as UK&I MD exits 14 months after joining from HP

Popular industry figure Neil Sawyer has left Lenovo after 14 months, CRN has learned.

Sawyer joined Lenovo as UK managing director & general manager in December 2021, having previously headed up HP's UK channel for six years.

In a note to CRN, Sawyer confirmed that he had "decided to take a break and spend a bit more time with my family".

"I leave on good terms with Lenovo and I am grateful to my team in UK&I for their efforts and achievements," he said.

Preben Fjeld, former UK and Ireland GM and current EMEA chief operating officer, will lead the team on an interim basis, Lenovo added in a separate statement.

"We can confirm that Neil Sawyer has left Lenovo and thank him for his contribution to our business across the UK and Ireland," the vendor said.

Sawyer was crowned CRN Channel Chief of the Year in both 2018 and 2020 on the back of a raft of glowing testimonials from partners.

One partner boss admitted that he was "stunned at the news".

"Neil is one of the channel's good guys," he said.

"I just hope he and his family are well. We could already see positive changes at Lenovo, so it's a shame Neil won't get the chance to see the job through. But you can't keep a good man down and I am sure he'll be back soon."