An Interview With James Reid
As we wrap up our 20 year anniversary celebrations, we take a look ahead to the next 20 years of Networks Centre.
Find out what our goals are, the significance of our talented team, and how James first got into sales!
First, let's introduce you.
James joined us in 2013 as Sales Director and transitioned into the role of Managing Director after the Alcadon acquisition.
Before joining Networks Centre, James built a strong career as a Global Account Manager at Panduit.
With over 25 years of industry experience and BICSI RCDD accreditation, James has played a key role in developing Networks Centre’s project and solutions offering.
Alongside overseeing both internal and external sales teams, James has guided the business to become a trusted supply partner to our industry.
Outside of work, James enjoys family life and has a passion for music, both listening and playing.
What new opportunities or markets do you believe will shape the future of the business?
The three segments we specialise in are Data Centres, Connected Buildings and FTTX. Technology and business demands dictate which segment takes priority - the developments in the Neo Cloud Data Centre segment due to the demands of AI for power/cooling and low latency networks are driving significant opportunities in the market.
How do you see the company adapting to changes in customer needs and industry trends?
The way clients communicate has been changing for a few years. We engage customers using various media types and platforms, but we still find traditional methods of in-person meetings are so critical in building trust with our clients.
Core services like having good stocks of product and robust logistics are becoming more important to delivering projects on time, but our value-added-services that cover training, tester and splicer servicing, design assistance and off-site assembly have become hugely popular over the last three years.
Do you see opportunities for international expansion or new strategic partnerships?
Opening a company in the Netherlands was one of the best things we’ve done. It was driven by the problems our clients were having post-Brexit - We started off by serving UK customers working within the EU, however we employed a talented Dutch team to address the opportunities locally and due to our successful delivery of strategic projects we’ve become one of the most important distributors in the Netherlands.
In 2025 we opened Networks Centre Norway, Norway is an extremely interesting Data Centre market and is on the map of every AI decision maker in the world, with the early signs showing it will be another extremely successful venture. Finding new territories for expansion is now firmly part of the company’s growth strategy. Our strategic partners, both suppliers and clients are critical to our success, we have invested years into relationships built on trust and collaboration.
What lessons from the last 20 years will you carry forward into the next stage of growth?
We must continue learning, listening, innovating and serving our customers to the best of our ability. If we continue to execute with the same dedication and quality, the sky is the limit.
What excites you most about leading Networks Centre into the future?
Our team going from strength to strength! We have very talented people, it’s our best asset. It’s great to see our growing team improve and take more responsibility. We have people that started in our Customer Services department who are now Directors and these Directors coach our new staff with the same ethos and it gives us a very unique culture.
What legacy do you hope Networks Centre will leave in the industry?
A Sussex based startup fibre reseller that became an international leader in IT infrastructure distribution.
What’s the boldest goal you’d like to see Networks Centre achieve in the next decade?
I don’t want to put a figure on it, but I believe we could be the most important distribution partner to the industry over the next decade.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice before starting this journey, what would it be?
I would say don’t worry about making mistakes, just don’t make big ones!
If you weren’t leading Networks Centre, what career path might you have chosen?
A musician - From a young age I wanted to play guitar professionally, I studied music at University and played professionally in bands for a few years, but I got fed up with struggling to make ends meet, so I got a job in Sales when I was 23 and really enjoyed it.
What’s one book, podcast, or piece of advice that has shaped how you lead today?
If I had to pick one book it would be the classic - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey. Everyone should read this book, it’s absolutely timeless. I was introduced to Covey’s work about 15 years ago when I was at a global manufacturer of Network and Electrical products.
I was part of a six-week strategic sales programme called “Helping Clients Succeed” and the course was developed from a book called “Let’s Get Real or Lets Not Play”, which is an incredible book on planning and executing complex sales.
If Networks Centre threw a 40th anniversary party in 20 years’ time, what song would you want playing as you walk in?
“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
What’s been the funniest or most unexpected moment in your time leading the business?
I have to say that two of our senior sales guys do an excellent standup routine at the staff Christmas party, some of that content had me in stitches over the last few years.
Leave a comment