McAfee’s new vice president of UK and Ireland has put partner expansion at the top of her agenda.

Jacqueline de Rojas joins the security vendor from software outfit Novell, where she was managing director for the UK and Ireland. She has also held roles at Cartesis, Business Objects, Informix and CA.

In a statement, de Rojas said: “Our partner ecosystem plays a key role in the ongoing development of our business in the UK and Ireland, and the expansion of our relationships with partners at all levels is a fundamental part of the plan to move McAfee forwards.”

She will work out of McAfee’s Slough office and report directly to EMEA president David Quantrell.

She claimed that McAfee has “explosive potential”.

“We operate in a market that grows in relevance during an economic downturn,” de Rojas added.

Quantrell said: “The UK and Ireland is a key market for McAfee and is one with incredible potential. Jacqueline’s proven track record of driving business growth will no doubt stand us in good stead to refine our go-to-market model, develop our relationships with our customers and seize every opportunity that presents itself.”