Long-serving country manager for Kingston Technology, Keith Hamilton, has left his post to help kick-start a new channel venture.
He has taken up a new position as a marketing director with Think Group, an emerging reseller that dabbles with hardware, software, consulting and financial services along with office equipment.
After 13 years with the memory manufacturer, Hamilton said it was his choice to move on.
"I have been given a great opportunity with a start-up business," he said. "Kingston's philosophy has always been about training their employees as entrepreneurs and I feel like I have the confidence to go out on my own and leverage that knowledge."
Kingston's northern region manager, Marites Bairstow, has stepped up into the country manager's role. She said her primary focus would be to work with channel partners and support them to develop marketing campaigns.
"Our global strength is lies in the partnership and alliances, and the key this year is be to leverage and develop these relationships at a local level," she said.
Think Group is currently looking for $3.5 million in capital funding to help launch offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. The company also has a 3-5 year plan to branch out to New Zealand, US and UK.
Hamilton said its charter was to offer the SMB market a purchasing engine that provides direct access to wholesale prices. The company boasts of partnerships with integrators, Commander and Ethan Group.
"We're not about squeezing wholesalers, we're about working with them in partnership," Hamilton said. "We are looking at launching a retail concept further down the track."
The company is also currently searching for more staff to facilitate its expansion strategy.
