Michael Trup

I founded Interactive Ideas in 1994 following 10 years in the City including a spell as International Sales and Marketing Director for one of the largest US Stockbroking houses. We have grown from just me and a phone into 38 people and have achieved an a compound annual growth rate since establishment of 19.2% a year. We hold Investors in People Status and have won or been a finalist in quite a few awards.

Best known as the leading distributor of Linux in the UK, working with both RedHat and Novell. Interactive Ideas was namd Rehat EMEA Distributor of the year 2009. Although Linux is what we are best known for we work with several proprietary software vendors, generally aimed at the IT infrastructure market.

We specialise in value-added, distribution to both the corporate reseller and e-tailer segments and this year will reach sales of approx $30 million.

In addition, we recently acquired an interest in a development and solution centre in India, www.enfinet.com through whom we provide some additional value-added services.

Other business interests

I am also a minority shareholder in Public Sector Providers Ltd, an excellent small company specialising in providing diversity and equality training to the public sector. They also provide a range of other Leadership and Management training.

In addition, I own a majority stake in Afrotalk.com a not for profit online network for the promotion of trading and personal links with Africa.

Interests

I am also heavily committed to making a difference and am on the business advisory panel of an NGO www.afrikids.org and assist www.restorehopemission.org in their work in Congo and www.gambianenterprise.com in Gambia.

I believe passionately in the power of education and enjoy doing some visiting lecturing on business and innovation and am a business mentor as well as an occasionally a school mentor.

Michael Trup’s Specialties:

Software and peripheral distribution, linux products, web fulfilment services, new venture management, international business culture, deal structuring, entrepreneurship and innovation, finance

Michael Trup’s Experience

Visiting Lecturer

University of Westminster

(Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry)

February 2008 — Present (1 year 10 months)

Visiting lecturer at Westminster University Business School teaching Innovation and Entrepreneurship to final year business students.
Managing Director/Founder

Afrotalk Ltd

(Internet industry)

September 2005 — Present (4 years 3 months)

Runs an online business network for businesses and professionals in Africa or looking for commercial relationships in Africa. www.afrotalk.com
Managing Director and Founder

Interactive Ideas Ltd

(Privately Held; Information Technology and Services industry)

May 1994 — Present (15 years 7 months)

Starting with just a phone and a desk, 14 years ago I founded Interactive Ideas Ltd. Since then it has become one of the leading distributors of computer and console software and peripherals. We supply major retailers such as PC World Business, eBuyer, Amazon, Dabs etc. as well as value added resellers such as Computacenter, Software Box, SCC We carry about 4,000 different products and are the leading Linux distributor in Europe with sales of $28 million. We have 10,000sq.ft of warehouse and office space and 35 people of 15 different nationalities in the team.

We hold Investors In People Status which is much more than just another 'tick box exercise' for us. We believe in the value of relationships with staff, customers and suppliers.
Full-time MBA Student

Middlesex University Business School

(Educational Institution; 5001-10,000 employees; Higher Education industry)

September 1993 — March 1994 (7 months)

Broad-based MBA. Undertook some consultancy work for SIR suits in Hungary and wrote thesis on new product development in SME's.
Vice President - Institutional Equities

Kidder Peabody/GE Capital

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Financial Services industry)

September 1992 — September 1993 (1 year 1 month)

Hired to build up Kidder's institutional equity sales in Northern Europe, then part of GE Capital. Major accounts opened included the Shell Pension Fund and several major Scandinavian banks and Insurance companies.
Non-Exec Director

Starstream Entertainment Inc

(Public Company; 11-50 employees; Entertainment industry)

September 1988 — September 1992 (4 years 1 month)

I arranged the acquisition of Polton, a Polish music and animation publisher and distributor by Starstream Entertainment Inc. a NASDAQ company shortly after the wall came down. I undertook initiated the deal, facilitated negotiations, arranged an institutional placement and then served as non-Exec on the main board for three years.

Starstream was eventually acquired in a reverse takeover a year after I left.
Sales and Marketing Director

Dean Witter Capital Markets International

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Investment Banking industry)

April 1985 — September 1992 (7 years 6 months)

Ran the institutional equity sales business with 9 offices in six countries and gross profit of $40 million. Specialised in Scandinavian institutions taking DW from 12th to 3rd in market share.

Also ran a 6 month project to examine the strategic implications of the single European market for our financial services offering.
Account Manager

Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; MER; Capital Markets industry)

May 1983 — April 1985 (2 years )

Account Manager to High Net Worth individuals trading in a wide range of markets including US Securities, eurobonds, commodities, futures, options and FOREX.

In 18 months through cold calling I became one of the highest producers in the UK Private Client Office. NASD and CFTC registered Rep. Completed extensive training course in New York gaining highest mark ever for foreign Trainee in Series 7.
Management Consultant/Economist

Price Waterhouse & Co

(Partnership; 5001-10,000 employees; Management Consulting industry)

March 1982 — April 1983 (1 year 2 months)

Consultant economist. I worked as a member of several teams including some high profile assignments. My specialisations were market forecasting, treasury management, strategy and MIS. Clients included several financial services companies.
Director

Chester Gate Securities Ltd

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Computer Software industry)

October 1978 — March 1982 (3 years 6 months)

Export Finance company specialising in trade and project finance with Nigeria. Lived and worked in Lagos for three month spells on several occassions.

Michael Trup’s Education

Middlesex University

MBA , Business , 1992 — 1993
London Business School

Investment Management Program September 1985 — June 1986
University of Belgrade

Cert D'Assid , Economics , 1978 — 1978

Anaylsis of the the Workers' Control movement in a Socialist Economy.
University of Exeter

Politics September 1977 — July 1978

Research Student in POlitics
Queen Mary, U. of London

B.Sc. , Economics , 1974 — 1977