Latest news with #DavidBennett
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Object First Recognized on MES Midmarket 100 List for Second Year
Ransomware-proof, immutable backup storage solution addresses unique midmarket data backup and recovery needs BEVERLY, Mass., July 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Object First, the best storage for Veeam® users, today announced that it has been highlighted for the second consecutive year by MES Computing, a brand of The Channel Company, on its MES Midmarket 100 list. The annual MES Midmarket 100 recognizes technology vendors with deep knowledge of the unique IT needs of midmarket organizations. These vendors are committed to delivering future-focused products and services that support growth, innovation, and success for their midsize customers. MES Computing defines midmarket organizations as those with an annual revenue of $50 million to $2 billion and/or 100 to 2,500 total supported users/seats. Vendors were selected for the MES Midmarket 100 for their go-to-market strategy, how they innovate to better serve the midmarket, and the strength of their midmarket product portfolios. Object First's Ootbi (Out-of-the-Box Immutability) solution provides a last line of defense against ransomware for organizations of all sizes. Ransomware remains one of the most pervasive cyber threats for the mid-market, with backup repositories targeted 96% of the time. Object First ensures rapid and reliable recovery with secure, simple, and powerful backup storage that is purpose-built for Veeam. Object First's pay-per-use Consumption model is ideal for midsized organizations needing secure, high-performance backup without added complexity or cost. It's easy to deploy, requires no security expertise, and integrates seamlessly with Veeam. Leveraging S3 Object Lock for immutability and Zero Trust architecture, Object First addresses the midmarket need for reliable and secure data storage that's simple to manage and scale. "Being named to the MES Midmarket 100 list for the second consecutive year is powerful validation of our commitment to midmarket organizations," said David Bennett, CEO, Object First. "Ransomware continues to pose a serious threat to organizations of all sizes, and midsize businesses deserve enterprise-grade protection that's effective and easy to manage. That's exactly what Ootbi delivers: secure, simple, and purpose-built backup storage for Veeam. We're proud to empower our midmarket customers with cyber resilience that allows them to stay focused on what matters most: growing their business." "The Midmarket 100 showcases the technology vendors that truly understand and actively support the unique needs of midsize organizations," said Samara Lynn, Senior Editor, MES Computing, The Channel Company. "These vendors are dedicated partners who empower midmarket organizations to hurdle their toughest IT challenges so they can innovate and achieve their growth goals. We can't wait to see how these companies continue to evolve to help the midmarket thrive." This is one of several recognitions Object First has received from The Channel Company over the past year. CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, named Kelly Wells, Chief Operating Officer, Meredith Frick, Head of Partner Marketing, and Kasey King, Channel Marketing Manager, to the 2025 Women of the Channel list. Harry Kurland, Vice President of Sales Americas, was named to the 2025 CRN Channel Chiefs list, while Justin Gilbert, Channel Sales Director Americas, was recognized as a 2025 CRN Inclusive Channel Leader. About Object First Object First believes no one should ever have to pay a ransom to recover their data. Our backup storage appliance, Ootbi (Out-of-the-Box Immutability), is purpose-built for Veeam users and ransomware-proofs data for organizations of any size. Secure, simple, and powerful, Ootbi is the best storage for Veeam. To learn more, visit follow our blog, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Subscribe to Object First's Zero Gravity podcast here. © 2025 Object First. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. About The Channel Company The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world's top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit Follow The Channel Company: LinkedIn and X. © 2025 The Channel Company, Inc. The Channel Company logo is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved. View source version on Contacts Press Contact Gabrielle RedwinePAN for Object Firstobjectfirst@
Business Wire
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Object First Recognized on MES Midmarket 100 List for Second Year
BEVERLY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Object First, the best storage for Veeam® users, today announced that it has been highlighted for the second consecutive year by MES Computing, a brand of The Channel Company, on its MES Midmarket 100 list. The annual MES Midmarket 100 recognizes technology vendors with deep knowledge of the unique IT needs of midmarket organizations. These vendors are committed to delivering future-focused products and services that support growth, innovation, and success for their midsize customers. MES Computing defines midmarket organizations as those with an annual revenue of $50 million to $2 billion and/or 100 to 2,500 total supported users/seats. Vendors were selected for the MES Midmarket 100 for their go-to-market strategy, how they innovate to better serve the midmarket, and the strength of their midmarket product portfolios. Object First's Ootbi (Out-of-the-Box Immutability) solution provides a last line of defense against ransomware for organizations of all sizes. Ransomware remains one of the most pervasive cyber threats for the mid-market, with backup repositories targeted 96% of the time. Object First ensures rapid and reliable recovery with secure, simple, and powerful backup storage that is purpose-built for Veeam. Object First's pay-per-use Consumption model is ideal for midsized organizations needing secure, high-performance backup without added complexity or cost. It's easy to deploy, requires no security expertise, and integrates seamlessly with Veeam. Leveraging S3 Object Lock for immutability and Zero Trust architecture, Object First addresses the midmarket need for reliable and secure data storage that's simple to manage and scale. 'Being named to the MES Midmarket 100 list for the second consecutive year is powerful validation of our commitment to midmarket organizations,' said David Bennett, CEO, Object First. 'Ransomware continues to pose a serious threat to organizations of all sizes, and midsize businesses deserve enterprise-grade protection that's effective and easy to manage. That's exactly what Ootbi delivers: secure, simple, and purpose-built backup storage for Veeam. We're proud to empower our midmarket customers with cyber resilience that allows them to stay focused on what matters most: growing their business.' "The Midmarket 100 showcases the technology vendors that truly understand and actively support the unique needs of midsize organizations," said Samara Lynn, Senior Editor, MES Computing, The Channel Company. "These vendors are dedicated partners who empower midmarket organizations to hurdle their toughest IT challenges so they can innovate and achieve their growth goals. We can't wait to see how these companies continue to evolve to help the midmarket thrive." This is one of several recognitions Object First has received from The Channel Company over the past year. CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, named Kelly Wells, Chief Operating Officer, Meredith Frick, Head of Partner Marketing, and Kasey King, Channel Marketing Manager, to the 2025 Women of the Channel list. Harry Kurland, Vice President of Sales Americas, was named to the 2025 CRN Channel Chiefs list, while Justin Gilbert, Channel Sales Director Americas, was recognized as a 2025 CRN Inclusive Channel Leader. About Object First Object First believes no one should ever have to pay a ransom to recover their data. Our backup storage appliance, Ootbi (Out-of-the-Box Immutability), is purpose-built for Veeam users and ransomware-proofs data for organizations of any size. Secure, simple, and powerful, Ootbi is the best storage for Veeam. To learn more, visit follow our blog, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Subscribe to Object First's Zero Gravity podcast here. © 2025 Object First. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. About The Channel Company The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world's top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit Follow The Channel Company: LinkedIn and X. © 2025 The Channel Company, Inc. The Channel Company logo is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
The Sun
15-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Beloved family-run bakery chain suddenly closes third store this year due to ‘staff shortages' and ‘illness'
A POPULAR family bakery has shut the doors of another store – the third to close this year – blaming staff shortages and illness in the family. Bennetts Family Bakers in Broadstone closed for good on Friday, June 14, marking the end of an era for the Lower Blandford Road site. The closure follows the earlier loss of their Westbourne and Wimborne branches, leaving just three remaining shops in Southbourne, Winton and Parkstone. A heartfelt note taped to the Broadstone shop window explained the difficult decision. 'It is with great sadness that this shop will be closing on the 14th of June,' it read. 'It has been a pleasure serving the Broadstone community over the years. 'This has come about because of staff shortages and illness in the family. 'I would like to thank everybody for their support.' Founded in 1951, Bennetts has built a strong local following thanks to its freshly baked bread, pastries, and traditional cakes. Many in the community were saddened to hear the news. One regular customer said: 'It's such a shame. You could always count on Bennetts for quality and friendly service. They'll be missed.' Another added: 'It's a real blow for the high street. "There aren't many proper family bakeries left these days.' David Bennett, the company's director, previously told the Daily Echo he was struggling to run the business while caring for his elderly mother, who is seriously ill. He said: 'We've had an incredibly loyal customer base, and I'm truly thankful for the support we've had over the years.' Local residents and small business owners have expressed their sympathy for the family, understanding how difficult it must be to juggle personal challenges with the demands of a busy business. There is currently no word on whether more stores will be affected, but customers are being encouraged to continue supporting the remaining three sites. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO HOSPITALITY? Many food and drink chains have been struggling recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns announced it would be shutting down 43 of its stores this year. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, also shut sites as part of major restructuring plans. This year has seen the announcing of further closures including from casual dining group Chipotle and an award-winning independent bistro in Merseyside. Why are retailers closing stores? RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis. High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going. However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector. The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024. End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker. It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date. This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023. It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns. The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker. Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations. Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes. Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020." 2
Globe and Mail
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Ontario man arrested in Dominican Republic returns home after two months
When David Bennett decided to escape Canada's icy winter with a weeklong trip to the Dominican Republic, he never imagined he'd be fighting to get back on Canadian soil for more than two months. Bennett has finally returned to his Burlington, Ont., home after being arrested in the Caribbean country and accused of smuggling drugs. Even after the charges were withdrawn, he was stuck in the island nation for weeks due to court delays. He's now calling for more transparency from the federal government when it comes to assisting Canadians abroad. Bennett, his wife Jane Wilcox and some friends were on their way home from a Dominican Republic resort on March 7 when he was denied entry at a Punta Cana airport's automated customs gate, he said. He was taken to an interrogation room and initially thought it was just a brief misunderstanding. There, he and Wilcox were shown a photo of a bag they didn't recognize, with a slightly different name on it – Davi Bennett instead of David R. Bennett, he said. Though they were adamant the bag didn't belong to him, he said he was charged with trafficking drugs into the Dominican and told he could face up to 30 years in prison. 'That was really scary and I was blown away. Like I was in disbelief that this was happening,' Bennett said in a phone interview Thursday, nearly two weeks after returning home. 'I certainly didn't expect it to evolve into what it did, that's for sure. Not in my wildest dreams did I think it would happen like that.' Bennett recalled how he was handcuffed and later spent the night in a 'small, overcrowded cell,' shoulder-to-shoulder with other detainees and sitting in a corner for nearly nine hours. He managed to get a lawyer – whom he could only communicate with through Google Translate – and Wilcox paid a $5,000 bail, he said. He then spent the next several weeks bouncing around different accommodations as he and Wilcox fought to clear his name and get him back to Canada. When they learned the charges would be withdrawn, he was relieved, but only momentarily. 'We were told that it would take roughly 10 to 15 days for that withdrawal to become official through the signing of a court order. We were concerned with the time frame, but we were told that there's a backlog in the system,' Bennett said. 'So we said, well, what other choice do we have other than to remain patient?' It took more than 15 days for the court order to be signed, he recalled, but then he was told it would take up to an additional two weeks for the travel ban to be lifted. 'My mental state was really rough those last five weeks waiting,' said Bennett. 'The anticipation and the waiting was really the most difficult part.' Meanwhile in Ontario, Wilcox was rallying as much support as she could, Bennett said, as she and other community members reached out to their local member of Parliament Karina Gould and Anita Anand, who is now foreign affairs minister. On May 15, Bennett said he learned from Global Affairs Canada that his travel ban had been lifted through a verbal agreement with Dominican authorities, and they immediately booked a flight for the next day. 'We literally willed our way through at that point because the paperwork hadn't been finalized yet. And we connected with Global Affairs Canada and told them that we're going to the airport, please ensure the paperwork is there to support us,' he recalled. The next day, when he boarded his plane to Toronto, he 'never felt really comfortable' until the wheels left the tarmac. 'Even when I was on the aircraft, even though I was innocent, I had in the back of my mind, 'What's going to go wrong here?' Like something's not going to work out here,' he said. 'So I was really, really nervous for the entire time.' The flight gave him an 'amazing feeling,' he said, and his reunion with his wife was even better. In total, Bennett said he spent 71 days stuck in the Dominican, getting few hours of sleep, rapidly losing weight and ultimately racking up more than $80,000 in legal fees and accommodation costs. Though he's back home now, Bennett said he still has unanswered questions about what happened that day at the Punta Cana airport. 'I'd like to really fully understand what has transpired and how it transpired, how this can never happen in the future,' he said. Bennett added he wants Canadian officials to be more transparent in the steps they're taking to help Canadians stuck abroad. During his time in the Dominican, he and Wilcox were in communication with Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Embassy, he said, but officials gave them few updates or details on his case, which he called 'frustrating.' Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Embassy in the Dominican Republic did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 'I do believe Canadians deserve better,' Bennett said. 'We need to be way more supportive of our Canadian citizens when they travel.' For Canadians going abroad, Bennett said they should consider only taking a carry-on and if they check a bag, to keep track of the luggage tag. Bennett also recommends checking the federal government's travel advisories before choosing a destination. Now that he's back in Canada, Bennett said he's spending as much time with family as he can and taking steps to recover physically and mentally. Before the incident, Bennett said he was never much of a traveller, but his detention has actually made him want to travel more. 'I have a little bit of a thirst for travel through this because I want to live my life and I want to enjoy,' said Bennett. 'There's so many beautiful places to see in this world and it hasn't ruined my want to do more things.'
CTV News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
‘I was innocent': Ontario man returns home after arrest in Dominican Republic
David Bennett was arrested in the Dominican Republic in February after he was accused of smuggling drugs. The charges were withdrawn after weeks of delays and he's back at his Burlington, Ont., home. Bennett and his wife Jane Wilcox are seen in this handout photo after he arrived at Toronto's Pearson airport on May 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - David Bennett *MANDATORY CREDIT* When David Bennett decided to escape Canada's icy winter with a weeklong trip to the Dominican Republic, he never imagined he'd be fighting to get back on Canadian soil for more than two months. Bennett has finally returned to his Burlington, Ont., home after being arrested in the Caribbean country and accused of smuggling drugs. Even after the charges were withdrawn, he was stuck in the island nation for weeks due to court delays. He's now calling for more transparency from the federal government when it comes to assisting Canadians abroad. Bennett, his wife Jane Wilcox and some friends were on their way home from a Dominican Republic resort on March 7 when he was denied entry at a Punta Cana airport's automated customs gate, he said. He was taken to an interrogation room and initially thought it was just a brief misunderstanding. There, he and Wilcox were shown a photo of a bag they didn't recognize, with a slightly different name on it — Davi Bennett instead of David R. Bennett, he said. Though they were adamant the bag didn't belong to him, he said he was charged with trafficking drugs into the Dominican and told he could face up to 30 years in prison. 'That was really scary and I was blown away. Like I was in disbelief that this was happening,' Bennett said in a phone interview Thursday, nearly two weeks after returning home. 'I certainly didn't expect it to evolve into what it did, that's for sure. Not in my wildest dreams did I think it would happen like that.' Bennett recalled how he was handcuffed and later spent the night in a 'small, overcrowded cell,' shoulder-to-shoulder with other detainees and sitting in a corner for nearly nine hours. He managed to get a lawyer — whom he could only communicate with through Google Translate — and Wilcox paid a $5,000 bail, he said. He then spent the next several weeks bouncing around different accommodations as he and Wilcox fought to clear his name and get him back to Canada. When they learned the charges would be withdrawn, he was relieved, but only momentarily. 'We were told that it would take roughly 10 to 15 days for that withdrawal to become official through the signing of a court order. We were concerned with the time frame, but we were told that there's a backlog in the system,' Bennett said. 'So we said, well, what other choice do we have other than to remain patient?' It took more than 15 days for the court order to be signed, he recalled, but then he was told it would take up to an additional two weeks for the travel ban to be lifted. 'My mental state was really rough those last five weeks waiting,' said Bennett. 'The anticipation and the waiting was really the most difficult part.' Meanwhile in Ontario, Wilcox was rallying as much support as she could, Bennett said, as she and other community members reached out to their local member of Parliament Anita Anand, who is now the new foreign affairs minister. On May 15, Bennett said he learned from Global Affairs Canada that his travel ban had been lifted through a verbal agreement with Dominican authorities, and they immediately booked a flight for the next day. 'We literally willed our way through at that point because the paperwork hadn't been finalized yet. And we connected with Global Affairs Canada and told them that we're going to the airport, please ensure the paperwork is there to support us,' he recalled. The next day, when he boarded his plane to Toronto, he 'never felt really comfortable' until the wheels left the tarmac. 'Even when I was on the aircraft, even though I was innocent, I had in the back of my mind, 'What's going to go wrong here?' Like something's not going to work out here,' he said. 'So I was really, really nervous for the entire time.' The flight gave him an 'amazing feeling,' he said, and his reunion with his wife was even better. In total, Bennett said he spent 71 days stuck in the Dominican, getting few hours of sleep, rapidly losing weight and ultimately racking up more than $80,000 in legal fees and accommodation costs. Though he's back home now, Bennett said he still has unanswered questions about what happened that day at the Punta Cana airport. 'I'd like to really fully understand what has transpired and how it transpired, how this can never happen in the future,' he said. Bennett added he wants Canadian officials to be more transparent in the steps they're taking to help Canadians stuck abroad. During his time in the Dominican, he and Wilcox were in communication with Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Embassy, he said, but officials gave them few updates or details on his case, which he called 'frustrating.' Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Embassy in the Dominican Republic did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 'I do believe Canadians deserve better,' Bennett said. 'We need to be way more supportive of our Canadian citizens when they travel.' For Canadians going abroad, Bennett said they should consider only taking a carry-on and if they check a bag, to keep track of the luggage tag. Bennett also recommends checking the federal government's travel advisories before choosing a destination. Now that he's back in Canada, Bennett said he's spending as much time with family as he can and taking steps to recover physically and mentally. Before the incident, Bennett said he was never much of a traveller, but his detention has actually made him want to travel more. 'I have a little bit of a thirst for travel through this because I want to live my life and I want to enjoy,' said Bennett. 'There's so many beautiful places to see in this world and it hasn't ruined my want to do more things.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025. Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press
