Web-filtering vendor Bloxx has appointed a new channel manager to spearhead the growth of the company’s reseller base.

Peter Heron has joined the firm as channel manager for the UK and Ireland. Heron previously worked at web-filtering rival St Bernard Software, which recently retreated from its European territory back to its native US.

Speaking to CRN, Heron said his main aim was to catch up with partners before embarking on a recruitment drive. “I am visiting partners to get their feedback. Then we can start recruiting,” he said.

Bloxx is looking for a range of new partners across the UK and Ireland, in sectors such as government, local authority and education.

“With the amount of change in the market, such as Websense buying SurfControl and St Bernard moving out of Europe, it is good for resellers to have a locally based partner,” he added.

He also said the firm has no immediate plans to pair up with a distributor, but instead prefers to work directly with resellers.

Jon Busfield, managing director of specialist security VAR Cygnia Technologies, welcomed Heron’s appointment.

“Bloxx does a good job in the market that it addresses. With regard to the new channel manager, we would really like him to be a better interface between the resellers and the vendor.”

Busfield said he liked the fact that the vendor worked directly with partners, provided that it kept up good lines of communication.