Keegan appointed UK boss of Fujitsu hardware arm

Vendor's new leader stresses the importance of resellers

At your service: Keegan has been tasked with forging closer ties between services and hardware

Fujitsu has promoted government sales chief Michael Keegan to lead its UK Technology Solutions unit.

Keegan replaces Paul Parrish, who, as ChannelWeb exclusively revealed last month, has left to join Phoenix IT Services as managing director. Keegan, who has previously held senior positions with MasterCard, NatWest and Magex, joined Fujitsu in 2006. He most recently served the Japanese vendor as sales and business development director of its UK government division.

In his new role, he will be responsible for heading the UK sales operation for Fujitsu's desktops, notebooks, servers and storage. The vendor's UK and Ireland chief executive, Roger Gilbert, claimed he wants Keegan to forge greater ties between Fujitsu's services and hardware businesses.

"Michael will be leading the hardware side of our business in what is a critical but very exciting time for the company," said Gilbert. "His experience across both private and public sector and particularly his understanding of IT as a driver for the government efficiency agenda, will be a great asset in ensuring a greater synergy between our traditional services business and our hardware business."

Keegan stressed the importance of channel partners in achieving his ambitions for the technology solutions unit.

"Fujitsu has a unique position in the market, with its extensive UK customer footprint, German engineering and Japanese heritage coming together to create an impressive approach and comprehensive product set," he said. "There are a number of key innovations coming down the line to ensure that our ambitious growth plans for this business will be realised.

"The reseller channel is critical for us and I am looking forward to working with partners across the board to ensure that we can collectively grow our respective businesses."