Lauren Fortune

Global Vendor Management & Programmes Director at Exclusive Networks | Channel Champion | Promise Keeper | People Connector

Newark-On-Trent, England, United Kingdom

About

I help global channel leaders turn strategy into reality by architecting value-enhancing programmes, delivering on promises, and connecting people for success. Passionate about the IT and cybersecurity channel since 2003, I’m a trained linguist, business development strategist and service delivery specialist. I’m privileged to work with a community of brilliant people and their businesses, intertwining each other’s objectives and strategies. In collaborating together, I relish the opportunity to help them overcome challenges and realise their full potential, so they achieve maximum profitable growth & personal success. I champion channel enablement and profitability, channel-inclusive sales and marketing culture, system & process efficiency, cross-functional, multinational team collaboration, and people development. I grew up with LEGO, athletics, and French cinema, and feel most at home near the coastline and castles of Northumberland.

Experience

  • Exclusive Networks (4 yrs 1 mo)
    • Global Vendor Management & Programmes Director
      Feb 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

      Company Description: Exclusive Networks is a globally trusted cybersecurity Go-To-Market specialist, helping to drive the transition to a totally trusted digital future for all people and organisations. See www.exclusive-networks.com. Job Role: Responsible for driving global growth and operational excellence across Exclusive Networks’ premier vendor portfolio. My focus is on scaling strategic partnerships and architecting global programmes that empower our vendors and partners to navigate complex market dynamics, ensuring we remain the specialist of choice in a rapidly evolving landscape. I sit at the intersection of global scale and regional execution, collaborating with cross-functional, multinational teams as we redefine cybersecurity distribution in the cloud and AI era.

    • Global Vendor Alliances & Marketing Director
      Oct 2022 - Feb 2024 · 1 yr 5 mos

      Job Role: Directed 2 of the top 5 global vendor alliances as well as a team of Global Vendor Business Development & Marketing Managers and external marketing agencies. Led major global vendor programmes, including CPQ consolidation, stocking programme, Managed Services launches, drove global and country RFIs and performance improvement plans.

    • Global Vendor Business Development Manager
      Jul 2022 - Sep 2022 · 3 mos

      Job Role: Responsible for driving, managing and expanding the overall strategic relationship with Exclusive Networks global vendors, ensuring business alignment, executive sponsorship and development.

  • Teneo ()
    • Chief Marketing Officer
      Jul 2016 - Jul 2022 · 6 yrs 1 mo

      Company Description: Teneo delivers leading technology & deep expertise to networking & security leaders, so they can embrace innovation with confidence. See www.teneo.net. Key vendor partnerships included: Riverbed, Palo Alto Networks, HPE Aruba (Silver Peak), Akamai, Infoblox, Gigamon. Other technologies covered: Netskope, Talari Networks, Viptela, VeloCloud, Versa Networks, Expereo, eSentire, Simplivity, OpenGear, Tintri, Certes, Allot, Arista, ExtraHop, Cylance, Duo Security, BlackStratus, Arbor Networks, Zimperium, Prosimo. Job Role: Part of company Senior Leadership Team. Directed a team of internal marketers & BDRs, and external marketing agencies in the UK, France, Australia, and USA. Led the company rebrand with a mission of "Opening Minds to New Possibilities," delivered a new website and managed the CMS. Spearheaded professional and managed service development and grew $multi-million new business services pipeline. Implemented sales & marketing automation & owned the data strategy. Led a graduate programme for Inside Sales hires, managed a team of 11 ISRs across the UK, US, and Philippines. Qualified as a Challenger sales methodology coach and developed associated sales enablement material.

    • Marketing Director, Dip B2BM
      Jul 2013 - Jul 2016 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      Job Role: Led company Go-To-Market strategy, exceeded pipeline growth & MDF targets, played a major role in establishing the company's French & Australian businesses, introduced business development planning processes for sellers, led and won major RFPs and drove French customer QBRs. Worked with 6 major market players as a pioneer in the global SD-WAN and SASE markets.

    • Head of Marketing
      Jul 2011 - Jul 2013 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      Job Role: Led the integrated marketing strategy across our core transatlantic markets with focus on helping IT Infrastructure & Operations and Security leaders cut through complexity. Managed a team of BDRs. Served on Palo Alto Networks Partner Marketing Advisory Board.

  • Slipstream Global ()
    • Relationship Manager
      Mar 2007 - Dec 2009 · 2 yrs 10 mos

      Company Description: A leading B2B global technology marketing services agency providing campaign planning, programme management, data management and delivery of marketing campaigns using integrated media. Job Role: Responsible for consulting with and managing key account relationships with Sun Microsystems, Oracle and Morse Group across EMEA and growing Slipstream revenue within these accounts by increasing the customer's investment in Slipstream's end-to-end marketing services. Increased revenue from Sun account by 100% over FY 2008 compared to previous year. Reached 110% of sales targets in 2009. Managed up to 20 telemarketers and internal/external delivery teams. Consulted with and managed marketing programmes for Sun's partner ecosystem (a combination of ISVs, OEMs, Service Providers, Distributors and Direct and Indirect partners/VARs) including Symantec, Oracle, Microsoft, Capgemini, Accenture, Avanade, CSC, EDS, SAP, VMware, Intel, Vignette, Zeus Technology, CopperEye, Alfresco, Objective, DNS Arrow, Interface Solutions, Avnet, Morse Group, Q Associates, SCC, Bell Microsystems, DSI, Keltec, UKN Group, WTL, Agilitas, Fujitsu Services, Latitude and Powercube.

    • Training Manager
      Aug 2005 - Mar 2007 · 1 yr 8 mos

      Job Role: Reporting directly to Slipstream Managing Directors, this role was to develop a training function for the business to support Slipstream's telemarketing delivery pool. Recruited staff. Created and delivered induction and training courses around the IT landscape and telemarketing core skills. Developed a core skills analysis process and trained Delivery Managers. Coached individual callers to success.

  • Business Development Manager at Interwoven
    Apr 2005 - Aug 2005 · 5 mos

    Company Description: Enterprise Content Management software vendor, became HP Autonomy, at which point I was made redundant. The company was later acquired by OpenText. Job Role: Telephone based sales role into key target accounts within the Financial Services sector.

  • Telephone Marketing Executive at Slipstream Global
    Feb 2003 - Apr 2005 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    Job Role: Responsible for providing telephone based demand generation services in French and English to individual client accounts on a project basis. Client software and services propositions included Enterprise Content Management, Technology Integration & Development, WAN Optimisation, Operational Risk Management, Intellectual Capital Management, Unified Collaborative Communications & Wealth Management.