Joel Wecksell, Managing Director
Joel has worked with executives, marketers and research analysts around the globe. With 35 years’ experience in the technology industry, Joel spent 11 years at Xerox, and then for 18 years held senior roles at Gartner, including group vice president for the global software research group. Joel has been a branch and district sales manager, marketer, analyst, research executive and internet strategy guru. Over the last three years, he has helped more than 600 professionals to effectively analyze their world, communicate their ideas, and inspire audiences with their crisp insight.
Simon Levin, Managing Director
Simon has been in the business of communicating complex information for a quarter of a century. After 10 years in software marketing, he entered the advisory services industry, joining Gartner in Europe as a senior analyst. A top-rated writer and presenter, Simon went on to lead various Gartner research teams, including the global market research business of 380 professionals. Since then, Simon has established new European operations for TowerGroup (a division of MasterCard) and led a turnaround in the group’s global research organization, and launched a fast-growing executive networking business. Simon is currently also a serving board member for the Institute of Industry Analyst Relations (IIAR).
Peter Sampson, Sales Director
Peter spent a total of 14 years in senior sales roles with Gartner, leading key teams in the UK and Australia and developing markets in Asia Pacific. He began his career in financial services with a major bank, despite having studied botany at university. His insider knowledge of the art of selling to and for research and advisory firms is second to none.
Ian Shircore, Editorial Director
Ian used to be the top editor at Gartner, running a team of 80 as VP for Worldwide Editorial and Web Services. He has held positions as marketing and communications director for European software companies in the areas of artificial intelligence and internet security and has written eight books, on subjects including online shopping, NLP, Douglas Adams, and conspiracy theories.
Stacey Hawkins, Senior Analyst
Stacey has broad experience in management, marketing, consulting, and research in the technology sector. She spent 27 years with Gartner, progressing from marketing director, during the firm’s start-up phase, to group vice president, via a key global role as VP of methodology. As Head of Methodology, Stacey was responsible for Gartner’s Magic Quadrant process, among others. She also has extensive experience as a front-line analyst.
Mark L Hess, Senior Analyst
Mark’s entire career has been in the IT industry. He was Vice President and Service Director at Gartner for 13 years, in the Management of Technology practice, leading research on the enterprise management of IT. Prior to joining Gartner, Mark spent 26 years in a range of executive roles at large systems companies such as IBM, Amdahl, National Advanced Systems (now Hitachi Data Systems), and SHL Systemhouse.
David Taylor, Associate Analyst
David has spent 27 years in IT, including 14 years at Cisco Systems, where he led the EMEA Analyst Relations team and set up the company’s Market Intelligence group in Europe. Before Cisco, David was at Dataquest for seven years, building and leading the Networking Research Group and making a name for himself as a leading analyst specializing in the European and global telecommunications markets. David is the IIAR (Institute of Industry Analyst Relations) lead for the advanced certification qualification for AR professionals.
