About Us
VIA International is a management consultancy focused entirely on marketing, distribution and sales channels. We work in business-to-business and business-to-consumer channels, and have special expertise in sectors where these overlap. As well as typical direct, one-tier and two-tier channel models, we also have extensive, practical knowledge of the franchise model. We work with our clients through consulting engagements and through designing and delivering customised training & education programmes.
Our unique edge is a deep understanding of channel business models built from direct engagement with channel partners. We combine professional financial expertise with over twenty-five years' experience in channel management. We apply this economic channel insight to help our clients build strategic, higher performing channels, develop compelling channel value propositions and sustain account relationships that deliver more, profitable business.
We are a boutique consultancy, which means the people you meet are the people you work with. All of us are experienced professionals with a passion for working with clients to solve their problems or inject a niche expertise. We have blue-chip consulting backgrounds, a client list of fortune 500 companies and a network of associates to complement our own specialties. All of us have worked around the world, and understand the need to tailor solutions to be relevant to local markets. We're willing to invest in understanding the issuses before asking our clients to commit to hiring us. We've been in business since 1989, making us one of the earliest, and most experienced, specialists in this challenging domain.
We work across a wide range of industry sectors and business types so we can share insights that draw on the best practices, regardless of sector. We have worked with all types of products, services, solutions, after-market products, capital assets and franchises. Our clients range from market entrants to global industry leaders. We have an unusally deep knowledge of working with family-owned or privately held businesses.
Our Team
Julian Dent
Founder & Chairman
Julian Dent is Chairman of VIA International. He has over 30 years experience in Technology Media and Telecommunications distribution throughout the world, specialising in channel strategy and implementation, working at global corporate and regional levels.
Julian is VIA's franchise channel expert, having led the global strategic planning process for Subway for over 10 years and been responsible for ensuring the strategies are implemented to deliver business results.
As well as global corporate experience, he has helped many fast-growing businesses to address the challenges of taking new technologies to market and embracing multiple channels across multiple geographies.
Julian is a Chartered Accountant (Fellow) and a Freeman of the City of London. He has a BA in Economics from Leeds University.
Sharon Davis
Practice Manager
Sharon Davis is the VIA International Practice Manager and has over 25 years of business management experience. As well as being responsible for the overall management of VIA on a day-to-day basis, Sharon also manages Client, 3rd Party and Supplier relationships and co-ordinates client training events.