Channel veteran bids farewell to components distributor after nine years at the helm

TechTaxi has learnt that components distributor Arrow Microtronica has parted company with its northern European managing director Les Billing.

Billing’s departure follows on from a number of UK redundancies in the summer after the distributor opted to centralise its European warehouse operations.
Channel veteran Billing took the reins of Microtronica’s UK operation in 1998, when Arrow unified its three UK brands under the Microtronica name.

Billing said he is on 'gardening leave' until the end of November, after completing his last day in the role on Friday.

"My role is being absorbed into Microtronica's European structure. Apart from that, the UK operation will be no different and it is still a legal entity," he confirmed.

Billing added: "This is an opportunity for me to take some time out and decide want I want to do going forward."

Onlookers were quick to hail Billing's contribution to the channel.

Nitin Joshi, director of advisory firm Channelmoney, said: “Les has made a massive contribution to the channel and his experience will be invaluable to any player.

“As long as Alan Brinicombe, [Microtronica’s] credit director, continues to look after the UK ledger, things should be okay.”