Novell creates EMEA channel post

Software vendor claims new role is critical to its growth in the region as partners voice fears over slow sales

Novell has created a new EMEA channel management role to shore up its indirect business in the region.

The appointment of Dan Veitkus to the post of vice president and general manager of partners for EMEA came as partners expressed concern that the vendor is losing ground to rivals.

Reporting to EMEA president Javier Colado, Veitkus will be responsible for managing channel and partner sales and operations across the region. He previously headed up Novell’s global field operations.

Colado said: “This EMEA leadership role is critical to Novell's continued growth and success and I'm confident Dan is the right leader to drive growth and improved productivity in co-operation with our partners across the EMEA region.”

Veitkus’ appointment follows several changes to Novell’s UK executive line-up. At the start of the year, Sean McCarry replaced Jacqueline de Rojas as UK and Ireland managing director. UK channel chief Jill Henry also left last month and has yet to be replaced.

Top UK partners expressed hope that the shake-up will enable Novell to recover any ground lost in recent months.

Greg Carlow, managing director of Repton, said: “Sales have been disappointingly slow and we hope the fresh blood brings in a renewal of energy into Novell’s sales.”

Speaking about his appointment, Veitkus stressed that the channel would be a priority for Novell in the region.

“A strong ecosystem of trusted partners has been a part of Novell's distinction in the market in the past,” he said. “And we are well positioned to help our partners profitably grow their businesses once again as our preferred route to market for serving customers across EMEA.”