#267 Mit Patel: If you don’t plan to grow, you’ll stay stuck.
Release Date: 02/23/2026
#281 Eddy Abboud: If You Don't Disrupt Yourself, Somebody Else Will.
Channel Chat Podcast
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#280 Andy Morgan: Consistency Builds Trust
Channel Chat Podcast
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#279 Muneeb Anjum: Dubai Runs On Relationships.
Channel Chat Podcast
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#278 Steve Shakespeare: Distribution Alone Isn't Enough For The Future
Channel Chat Podcast
This week, Marc sits down with Steve Shakespeare to unpack the evolution of distribution, the rise of Strategic Growth Solutions, and how Arrow is redefining what a modern channel partnership looks like. A sharp, honest conversation about transformation, vendor expectations, and the future of value in the channel. They cover: Why traditional distribution alone isn't enough anymore How Arrow because the sales and marketing engine for Broadcom & Citrix The real impact of the Broadcom shake-up on partners Why resellers must shift from "products" to "solutions" The...
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#277 Miguel Duarte: I Packed Up My Life And Moved To Dubai.
Channel Chat Podcast
Another Dubai Series episode is here and this one might be the most eye opening yet. Marc sits down with Miguel Duarte, VP at Cybergate, for a fast paced deep dive into cybersecurity, AI adoption, and why the Middle East has become one of the most exciting regions in tech. From getting hacked on mall Wi-Fi to why 2026 is the year of AI adoption, Miguel breaks down the realities of securing a region that moves at lightning speed and why business in the UAE still starts with a coffee. In this episode: How hackers spoof public Wi-Fi in malls and airports Why AI adoption...
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#276 Andy Venables: We're not selling hours, were selling outcomes.
Channel Chat Podcast
In this episode of Channel Chat, Marc Sumner sits down with Andy Venables, CEO of PopX, for a deep dive into ServiceNow, MSP growth, and why the traditional consultancy model might be broken. From starting out on a service desk in London to scaling a global business, Andy shares the journey behind building PopX and the thinking that challenges how MSPs deliver and scale services today.
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#275 Muhammad Ali: If There's No Way Back, You Make It Happen.
Channel Chat Podcast
Marc Sumner sits down in Dubai with Muhammad Ali, Group Ceo of Cyberwaze, for a straight-talk conversation on entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, and the realities of building trust in the Middle East. Muhammad shares how he walked away from a safe career with no backup, why attackers currently have the upper hand, and what CISOs should be preparing for as we head toward 2026. From AI-driven threats to cultural nuance, this episode cuts through the noise. In this episode: Walking away from a "safe" career with zero backup Why cybersecurity can't live in silos How to build trust in a...
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#274 Lewis Dick and Justin Griffiths: Stay relevant - or lose the deal.
Channel Chat Podcast
Marc Sumner is joined by Justin Griffiths (RVP UK and Ireland) and Lewis Dick (Alliances Director) from Infinigate for a sharp, honest look at how the IT channel is shifting - and what partners must do to stay relevant. They break down the rise of MSPs, the move toward services-led revenue, and why so many VARs are losing ground to more specialised players. From AI-driven complexity to the talent gap, Justin and Lewis share what they're seeing across the ecosystem right now. Topics include: Why specialist MSPs/MSSPs are taking market share The services boom - and why most...
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#272 Amir Ali: Dubai Moves Faster Than Anyone Thinks.
Channel Chat Podcast
The first Dubai series episode is here! Marc sits down with Amir Ali, CEO of LOGIX, for a fast, honest, and deeply insightful conversation about what it really takes to succeed in Dubai's channel ecosystem. From the pace of doing business to the expectations placed on vendors and partners, Amir breaks down the realities of a marketing thats evolving faster than most people realise. This episode goes beyond surface-level commentary, it's a candid look at expertise, investment, culture, and the mindset required to win in the Middle East. Topics covered: Why Dubai now demands true...
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#273 Neil Burton: If You Want To Develop Your Skills, You Have To Move On.
Channel Chat Podcast
Marc sits down with Neil Burton, VP & GM of EMEA at Coro, for a sharp, honest conversation about the transformation, channel evolution, and the future of cybersecurity across one of the most complex regions in the world. Neil opens up about his journey from mainframe programmer to running a £500m business, why he thrives in high-change environments, and what the channel keeps getting wrong, and right. In this episode, Neil shares: How he moved from programming to leading major business units Why big organisations struggle to deliver real transformation The moment he...
info_outlineIn this episode of Channel Chat, host Marc Sumner sits down in London with Mit Patel, Founder and CEO of Assurix, to discuss building, scaling, and exiting an MSP - and why he decided to start all over again.
Mit shares the real story behind founding a business at 20, the painful lessons of scaling, and what founders often get wrong about hiring, leadership and sales. The conversation also explores cybersecurity risk, raising standards in the MSP space, and how the next wave of platforms and AI-driven software could reshape the industry.
In this episode:
- Starting a company young and learning by doing
- The toughest lessons in scaling an MSP
- When to step back from owner-led sales
- What selling a business is really like
- Why cybersecurity standards and trust matter more than ever
- Building talent and developing future leaders
- Industry trends to watch in the next 3-5 years
A must-listen for MSP owners, IT channel professionals, and anyone interested in building and scaling a technology business.