Avnet has commenced the search for a successor to Oracle business unit director Paul Young, who is moving to Hamilton Rentals as UK sales director.

Young joined US enterprise distie Avnet in 2008 when it acquired independent Horizon Technology, formerly Clarity Technology, for €101.3m.

John Toal veep and and country manager at Avnet Technology Solutions UK, confirmed the departure to El Reg.

"We are currently working on a succession plan and will announce Paul’s replacement in due course," he said.

Young, who is on gardening leave until the end of the month, is set to hook up again with former Horizon boss John Unsworth, group director at XTG Global.

The group of lifecycle management, reseller and rental businesses comprises six affiliate firms: IT Xchange, BlueRange Technology, Vernon Computer Source, Hamilton Rentals, PartStock Computer and Livingstone Hamilton Rentals.

Unsworth said Young will manage vendor relationships at the £20m plus UK outfit.

"If you look at our revenues, approximately 30 per cent come from vendors, so they are significant customers as well as suppliers, and Paul knows them well," said Unsworth.

Hamiltons has a host of vendor certifications including Oracle Gold Partner, HP Preferred Partner, IBM Business Partner, Microsoft Gold and Cisco Select.

Elsewhere in Avnet, the distributor confirmed it is also looking for a successor to CFO Ray Sadowski, who is planning to retire after 19 years in the role and 33 years at the firm.

"Although he will certainly be missed, we understand and respect his desire to initiate this personal transition and appreciate his proactive willingness to assist us through this critical succession," said CEO Rick Hamada. ®