Chris Barnard
Chris Barnard is vice president, European Telecommunications and Networking, at IDC. He joined the team in 2000 and is responsible for enterprise-focused research covering networking, fixed data and voice services, unified communications & collaboration, enterprise mobility, and related professional services.
Based in Amsterdam, Chris and IDC’s region-wide team of enterprise analysts focus on the major shifts taking place in this $100B market, as organizations move from physical, premise-based environments to services delivered via virtual and cloud solutions in a business world that is mobility-centric. Chris and team work very closely with a range of vendors, from industry leaders to start-ups, to identify the drivers and opportunities on offer in the areas of enterprise infrastructure and services.
With a personal research focus on enterprise transformation, he is the author of numerous white papers and trade press articles on professional services, convergence, unified communications, ebusiness, infrastructure, and networking strategies. He is widely quoted in the international technology and business press. In 2010, Chris was named telecoms analyst of the year by the Institute of Industry Analyst Relations (IIAR). He is frequently asked to speak at international industry conferences, customer events, and road shows.
In the late nineties he worked for three years at Montreal-based software company Essentus as special projects manager and customer support manager (Europe). Before joining this supply chain management vendor, he was employed by Fast Lane, an Oracle consultancy in the Netherlands. Chris, who holds a master's degree (cum laude) in social sciences from Stellenbosch University, also has six years' experience as a journalist and editor at various publications.
Ioan MacRae
Ioan MacRae is the Avaya Managing Director for the United Kingdom, responsible for the Avaya business across all business segments and products and services. A highly driven and motivated individual with over 20 years experience in the Telecoms and IT industry, Ioan ensures Avaya UK maintains a strong focus on its customers and partners, helping them achieve their digital transformation objectives. A regular commentator in the press on all matters UC and CC, he has also spearheaded many major transformation projects in financial services organisations, government bodies and retailers across the UK.
Ioan was previously the Director for Mid-Market across Avaya International (EU, MEA and APAC) and was responsible for the GTM strategy for the Mid-Market sector.
Ioan joined Avaya in 2014 from Westcon Convergence, where he was General Manager for their UK and Ireland business. Previous to Westcon, Ioan was MEA Managing Director for voice solutions developer Enghouse Interactive, based in Dubai.
Nidal Abou-Ltaif
Nidal Abou-Ltaif leads a combined operational region that generates almost half of Avaya’s global revenue. With an unmatched record of success, Nidal helps governments and businesses make a real difference to people’s lives in today’s digital world.
Since joining Avaya as the regional sales leader for the Middle East in 2003, Nidal has rewired the business by building a winning team and go-to-market strategy from scratch. He has been instrumental in transforming Avaya from a niche voice/IP telephony player into a specialist business communications powerhouse, with a complete portfolio of software and services. Today, Avaya’s client-tailored and outcomes-focused digital and smart services are helping businesses across the region accelerate their digital transformation journeys.
Nidal has a proven record of success at Avaya, maintaining business continuity when the company acquired Nortel, and successfully integrating operations in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. In 2014, Nidal took over Global Growth Markets, including MEA, Turkey, Russia & CIS, India and SAARC, and China, where his passion for winning and customer-driven approach ensured the theater became the fastest-growing operation within Avaya.
In recognition of his success in growing business in his region, Nidal was promoted in May 2015 to head the Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa (AMEA) operation, and he was subsequently promoted again in July, adding responsibility for Europe to his remit. Under his leadership, the Avaya International region has become a model for excellence in execution, achieving record customer satisfaction measures.
As a sales leader, Nidal has transformed businesses for the three companies he worked for: NCR/ATT and Avaya, having led various teams at NCR/ATT into new business lines well before competitors ventured into them.
Nidal has always been driven by a passion and commitment to build and develop leaders. He has received numerous accolades for his leadership and management skills, including:
- President Award, Avaya - 2013
- Top five most influential IT executives in the region (Network Middle East)
- Former member of the Young Arab Leaders Organization (YAL)
Laurent Philonenko
Laurent Philonenko is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Solutions & Technology. In this role, he is responsible for the research, development, engineering, and marketing of Avaya’s technology, innovations and services portfolio across both contact center and unified communications.
As part of his focus on the development of Avaya’s solutions, Laurent has oversight of strategic alliances and technology partnerships. This includes the Avaya DevConnect developer program and the recently launched AI Connect partner program. AI Connect is dedicated to supporting and promoting the interoperability and value of artificial intelligence and machine learning within enterprise communications.
Previously, Laurent was Avaya’s SVP of Corporate Strategy & Development and Chief Technology Officer from November 2014 to October 2017.
Laurent is a recognized leader and proven visionary in the enterprise collaboration and communications space. Prior to joining Avaya, he served successively as Vice-President and General Manager of several business units and as Chief Technology Officer for Cisco’s Collaboration Technology Group. Before joining Cisco, he was President and CEO for Genesys Telecommunications. In his tenure at Genesys, he also held the roles of Chief Technical Officer and Chief Operations Officer.
Laurent is a graduate of Ecole Polytechnique in Paris and earned a master’s degree in Management Science from Paris University. He holds nine U.S. patents. In his spare time, Laurent is an avid sportsman who enjoys running and biking. His other hobbies include practicing his culinary skills, flying airplanes and reading on a variety of topics.
