Updated: Websense hands UK reins to Philpott

Web-filtering vendor finds a replacement for Pat Dunne

Secure Computing’s former EMEA boss, Andy Philpott, has been handed the UK reins of Websense, according to UK channel sources.

Websense initiated a search for a new UK head after parting company with senior director of UK sales, Pat Dunne, in September.

The web-filtering vendor told CRN it had hoped to have found a replacement by Christmas and it is understood that Philpott has been on board since the beginning of the 2010.

Philpott’s precise job title has yet to be confirmed but resellers have been told he is a like-for-like replacement for Dunne. He was previously vice president EMEA at web security and firewall vendor Secure Computing, which was acquired by McAfee in September 2008.

Resellers have also been informed of the upcoming departure of Websense’s senior vice president of EMEA, Geoff Haggart - who was looking after the UK on an interim basis while a replacement for Dunne was found.

Websense was unable to confirm Philpott’s appointment at the time this article went to press, but provided CRN with a statement.

"Websense has undergone a significant restructure of its management organization over the last six months, in its international region," it read.

"Geoff Haggart, Senior Vice President for EMEA & APAC, has been assisting with this transition process and is now leaving Websense for other ventures. Geoff has been with Websense for over 10 years, during which time we have undergone significant change. Geoff has been instrumental in business growth and developing the sales teams throughout EMEA & APAC and we would like to thank him for his dedication and contribution. We wish Geoff every success in his future career."