Content security vendor Clearswift has poached RSA Security channel boss Miles Rippon to head its global channel business.

Rippon’s appointment to the new post of vice president of worldwide channels comes just months after former RSA EMEA vice president, Richard Turner, joined Clearswift as chief executive.

The vendor has also unveiled former Intel executive Peggy Van Nieuwenhove as channel marketing manager.

It claimed the double-appointment signals its commitment to the channel.

Turner said: “We want to re-energise the channel. With the appointment of Miles and Peggy we are in a position to achieve this goal and it underlines my commitment to deliver partner value.”

UK-based Clearswift’s accounts for the year to 31 March 2008 show it made a pre-tax loss of £776,000 on revenues that fell fractionally to £17.7m. It draws about half of its sales from the UK.

Rippon said he would look to establish a channel in new territories.

“We will be building on our existing channel and seeking to establish distribution in new as yet untapped markets. By providing the right tools and effective programmes our partners will be in a position to grow their businesses even in these challenging times,” he said.

The appointments follow a period of turmoil for the UK-based vendor.

In December Clearswift confirmed it was in talks with about 18 sales staff as it downsized its internal sales resources.

That followed the decision by one of its three UK distributors, Computerlinks, to walk away from the vendor following a clash over its mixed one- and two-tier channel model.