Microsoft has confirmed that Gary Fowle will be taking over from Alison Dodd as OEM senior director.

CRN revealed last week that Fowle was set to leave his position as UK channel head of Fujitsu (see story below) and take up a new post at Microsoft.

Dodd worked for Microsoft for 12 years, but is taking a sabbatical until a suitable post in the broader UK IT market place comes up. She will leave on 30 September.

In a statement Microsoft said: "Alison has built a strong OEM team and under her leadership the UK has seen some great results including an increased focus on working with UK partners to help stimulate the UK ecosystem.

"Microsoft is pleased to announce that Gary Fowle will be joining as the new OEM director in mid September. Gary has a wealth of experience in the local OEM market and understands the issue of multinationals."

Speaking to CRN, Fowle said: "I have enjoyed my time at Fujitsu and the company is in a great position to build on its strengths and go on a really good growth phase in its portfolio.

"I'm really looking forward to the new role and I think it will be a really good change for me personally. It enables me to draw on my experience of working with the channel and to keep up with the good relationships I have formed with many of them over the years.

"My time here at Fujitsu gives me a good insight into what multinationals need from Microsoft to make them successful OEM partners.

"I also feel that I am joining at a great time for Microsoft with the launch of Windows 7."

CRN understands that Fujitsu has appointed Darren Neath as its new UK channel sales director, but it has yet to announce who will take over Fowle's marketing responsibilities.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

ORIGINAL STORY - Friday 21 August 2009

Gary Fowle is set to leave Fujitsu, CRN has learned.

Fowle took over the role of UK channel head of the Japanese hardware titan in February this year, replacing Ian Newall.

CRN understands that his new role will be to head up the OEM business at Microsoft.

Last year, Fujitsu bought FSC outright from its German partner Siemens for about €450m. The company was rebranded Fujitsu on 1 April.

Neither Fowle nor Microsoft were available to comment as this article went to press.