Greg Spierkel has continued his meteoric rise through the Ingram Micro ranks to be named the broadline distributor's chief executive when current helmsman Kent Foster retires in the summer.

Just over a year ago Spierkel, who will take over the top spot on 1 June, was promoted to corporate president Europe and Asia-Pacific, and before that served as European president.

Kevin Murai has been promoted to chief operating officer. He and Spierkel have also been nominated to join Ingram's board of directors. Foster will become non-executive chairman at the distributor after the changeover.

Spierkel told CRN: "This was a planned transition by the board and Foster came to the company with the intention of putting a transition plan in place. His stepping aside is a natural transition.

"Murai and myself have been basically co-running Ingram for the past year, shaping its direction and looking where we need to make an investment. In that respect there will not be an immediate change of direction."

The UK remains a 'critical market' for Ingram, said Spierkel, adding that he is 'very interested in growing the business'.

"Ingram has operations in 35 countries and the UK is one of the most important," he said.

Channel players in the UK said they would be watching his progress with interest.

Tony Larks, marketing director of VAR Peapod, said: "In large organisations such as Ingram, when the top person leaves they normally bring in someone from the outside who tries to change things completely.

"Ingram is going for stability by bringing in Greg and it is definitely the right thing to do."

Joe Hemani, chief executive of distributor Westcoast, agreed. "Greg's appointment is a good move for Ingram and for vendors. He has wide experience in an international company and is pragmatic," he said.

sara_yirrell@vnu.co.uk