Michael Trup

Current
  • Visiting Lecturer at University of Westminster
  • Managing Director/Founder at Afrotalk Ltd
  • Owner and Founder at Interactive Ideas Ltd
Past
  • Full-time MBA Student at Middlesex University Business School
  • Vice President - Institutional Equities at Kidder Peabody/GE Capital
  • Sales and Marketing Director at Dean Witter Capital Markets International
  • Non-Exec Director at Starstream Entertainment Inc
  • Account Manager at Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith
  • Management Consultant/Economist at Price Waterhouse & Co
  • Director at Chester Gate Securities Ltd
Education
  • Middlesex University
  • London Business School
  • University of Belgrade
  • University of Exeter
  • Queen Mary, U. of London
Connections
215 connections
Industry
Computer Software
Websites

Michael Trup’s Summary

We are the largest distributor of Linux in the UK. We work with RedHat, Novell, SuSE and Mandrake. We also work with Sybase, Arkeia, Codeweavers, Kerio , Bullguard, AVG, and others.

We specialise in distribution to both the corporate reseller (esp. Linux based products) and etail channels. We can also offer a comprehensive web processing and fulfilment service on a pan-European basis.

We are always looking for more enterprise class products as well as corporate, government and educational resellers seeking to source software at competitive prices.

In a separate capacity I co-founded www.afrotalk.biz an online business networking site for African businesses and professionals to connect with the diaspora as well as companies interested in developing African commerce, on the basis that Trade is better than Aid.

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 and their work in Congo.

Michael Trup’s Specialties:

Software and peripheral distribution, linux products, web fulfilment services, new venture management.


Michael Trup’s Experience

  • Visiting Lecturer

    University of Westminster

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

    February 2008Present (4 months)

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

  • Managing Director/Founder

    Afrotalk Ltd

    (Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Internet industry)

    September 2005Present (2 years 9 months)

    Runs an online business network for businesses and professionals in Africa or looking for commercial relationships in Africa. www.afrotalk.biz

  • Owner and Founder

    Interactive Ideas Ltd

    (Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Software industry)

    May 1994Present (14 years 1 month)

    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, Toys R Us, 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 over $20 million. We have 20,000sq.ft of warehouse and office space and 35 people in the team.

  • Full-time MBA Student

    Middlesex University Business School

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

    September 1993March 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; Investment Banking industry)

    September 1992September 1993 (1 year 1 month)

    Hired to build up Kidder's institutional equity sales in Northern Europe. Major accounts opened included the Shell Pension Fund and several major Scandinavian banks and Insurance companies.

  • Sales and Marketing Director

    Dean Witter Capital Markets International

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

    April 1985September 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.

  • Non-Exec Director

    Starstream Entertainment Inc

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

    September 1988September 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.

  • Account Manager

    Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith

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

    May 1983April 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 1982April 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 1978March 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, 19921993

  • London Business School

    Investment Management Program September 1985June 1986

  • University of Belgrade

    Cert D'Assid, Economics, 19781978

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

  • University of Exeter

    Politics September 1977July 1978

    Research Student in POlitics

  • Queen Mary, U. of London

    B.Sc., Economics, 19741977


Additional Information

Michael Trup’s Websites:

Michael Trup’s Interests:

Politics, Psychology, Travel, Martial Arts, History, Africa, Eastern Europe, new technologies, football, Spurs fan.

Michael Trup’s Groups:

Association of MBA's, Royal Society of Arts., Ecademy,

  •    LInked Business Strategists member
  • LinkedIn UK 1st Million Members member

Michael Trup’s Honors:

Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce


Michael Trup’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

  • new ventures
  • job inquiries
  • expertise requests
  • business deals
  • reference requests
  • getting back in touch

Public profile powered by: LinkedIn

Create a public profile: Sign In or Join Now

View Michael’s full profile:

  • See who you and Michael Trup know in common
  • Get introduced to Michael Trup
  • Contact Michael Trup directly

View Full Profile