Chris Diston

Head of Cloud, Data & AI, Services Sales - UK, Ireland & Benelux

United Kingdom

About

Head of Cloud Services for the UK, Ireland, and Benelux, leading a revenue-focused sales organisation across AI, Data, DevOps, and multi-cloud solutions. I work with teams to shape practical, strategic sales go-to-market strategies that help customers get real value from AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. I’m passionate about building environments where people can grow, perform, and enjoy the work along the way. I focus on clear goals, straightforward communication, and a healthy sense of accountability. My approach blends solid commercial thinking with hands-on operational know-how. Whether it’s unlocking new revenue opportunities, refining how we execute, or helping a customer navigate their AI or cloud journey, I try to make an impact that’s both meaningful and measurable.

Experience

  • SoftwareOne (3 yrs 7 mos)
    • Head of Cloud, Data, & AI Services Sales - UK, Ireland, & Benelux
      Nov 2025 - Present · 9 mos

    • Director of Presales & Sales Strategy - UK, Ireland, & South Africa
      Jun 2024 - Nov 2025 · 1 yr 6 mos

    • Services Sales Leader - UK, Ireland, South Africa & Nordics
      Nov 2023 - Jun 2024 · 8 mos

  • Rackspace Technology (5 yrs 3 mos)
    • Cloud Strategy & AWS Alliances Director, EMEA
      Jan 2021 - Jan 2023 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    • Senior Technical Sales Specialist - Application & Data Services
      Sep 2020 - Jan 2021 · 5 mos

    • Account Director
      Feb 2020 - Sep 2020 · 8 mos

  • CenturyLink ()
    • Account Manager, EMEA
      Nov 2016 - Nov 2017 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Helped customers across multiple sectors from an IT perspective as they developed their businesses. Providing guidance and support on public, private, and hybrid cloud environments as well as application, and professional services (migrations, project management and consulting).

    • Senior Inside Account Manager
      Mar 2016 - Nov 2016 · 9 mos

      Focused on working with Partners and their end customers, to provide guidance on the best technology platforms to meet their requirements. Whether that be public, private or hybrid cloud solutions.

    • Inside Sales
      Mar 2015 - Mar 2016 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Responsible for developing and managing new customer relationships within the Channel & Alliances team.

  • Hewlett-Packard (2 yrs)
    • HP Software, Social Media Marketing, UK&I
      Aug 2013 - Jun 2014 · 11 mos

      Following a successful year with Hewlett Packard for my Industrial Placement, I continued to work for them part time during my final year of University. I worked 10 hours a week on building and executing a social media plan for the UK&I Software team. This included working directly with the Vice President & General Manager of HP Software to build his, and HP Software’s, social media presence in the UK&I, predominantly through the use of blogs, Twitter and LinkedIn.

    • HP Software Marketing, UK&I, and EMEA Communications
      Jul 2012 - Aug 2013 · 1 yr 2 mos

      ● Support of Industry marketing managers and EMEA internal communications, planning, strategy and operations ● Creation and support of senior EMEA management social media program – blogging, twitter, etc ● Assist in coordination and execution of marketing activities, campaigns and events ● Design and execution of digital marketing materials (emails, webinars, banners / on line etc) ● Support of channel /alliances marketing initiatives ● Strong interlock with Sales, Pre-Sales, Professional Services and other business units and functions