Check Point Celebrates UK Partner Excellence at 2026 Awards Ceremony
On March 19, 2026, the prestigious Check Point 2026 UK Partner Awards took place at One Moorgate Place in London, where the accomplishments of the UK partner ecosystem were recognized. This significant event highlighted the crucial role these partners play in assisting organizations to enhance their cyber resilience amid an increasingly perilous digital landscape.
The evening commenced with opening remarks from Mark Weir, Regional Director for the UK and Ireland, along with Martin Rutterford, Channel Director for the same regions. Both leaders emphasized the growing necessity for trusted partnerships as organizations confront the complexities of cyber threats, which have become more sophisticated and targeted in recent years.
The timing of the awards is particularly noteworthy, as organizations across the UK face escalating cyber risks. According to findings from Check Point’s 2026 UK Threat Landscape Report, the country emerged as the most targeted throughout Europe in 2025, accounting for roughly 16% of all cyber-attacks in the region. Among the most vulnerable sectors were business services, technology, and retail, underscoring the challenges that organizations face in managing their exposure in an era dominated by hybrid, cloud, and AI-driven operational environments.
In this context, the role of artificial intelligence has gained prominence, influencing not only business operations but also reshaping the threat landscape itself. Organizations are under immense pressure to mitigate risks while simultaneously fostering innovation. Check Point has positioned itself to facilitate a secure transition into an AI-driven future, helping its clients evolve from merely gaining visibility of threats to effectively preventing and executing security measures on a grand scale. It is within this framework that partners become essential players, translating security strategies into tangible protections for customers and aiding them in prioritizing risk reduction before attacks materialize.
The 2026 UK Partner Awards distinguished various partners for their exceptional performance, technical prowess, and significant impact on customer satisfaction over the past year. The recipients of these accolades contributed to bolstering organizational resilience and secure operations as the nature of cyber threats continues to evolve.
The esteemed winners of the awards included:
- Workspace Partner of the Year: Softcat
- Exposure Management Partner of the Year: Bytes
- Hybrid Mesh Network Security Partner of the Year: SEP2
- Infinity Partner of the Year: Bytes
- Marketplace Partner of the Year: Cloud Bazaar
- GSI Partner of the Year: BT
- MSP Partner of the Year: Grant Thornton
- Distributor of the Year: Arrow
- Project of the Year: CDW
- New Logo Partner of the Year: Softcat
- Consulting Partner of the Year: Criticalis
- One to Watch 2026: CDW
- Technical Services Partner of the Year: SEP2
- Check Point Champion of the Year: Michelle Ayres from DXC
- Partner of the Year: Softcat
Emphasizing the urgency of a proactive security posture, Mark Weir remarked, “Cyber attacks are moving faster and becoming more targeted, driven in part by automation and AI. In this environment, prevention rather than reaction has become essential. Our partners are on the front line of helping organizations turn security strategy into action, reducing exposure and strengthening resilience across increasingly complex environments. These awards recognize the critical role they play in enabling customers to operate securely today and prepare for what comes next.”
Adding to the atmosphere of the event, Martin Rutterford introduced Michael Herman as the new Head of Channels for Western Europe. Herman brings over three decades of experience in the technology sector, having held senior positions at esteemed organizations such as Palo Alto Networks, IBM, Cisco, and Siemens.
As the evening unfolded, guests also contributed to a charitable cause, raising about £1,500 for Prostate Cancer UK. This philanthropic aspect added a layer of community focus to the event, demonstrating the partners’ commitment beyond business metrics and cybersecurity but also to social responsibility.
The Check Point 2026 UK Partner Awards not only celebrated achievements but also reinforced the vital partnerships that are essential in today’s evolving threat landscape. Through collaboration, innovation, and diligence, these partnerships aim to fortify security measures and ultimately, ensure a safer digital environment for all.