Network Associates' UK manager quits

Richard Parkinson, UK managing director of antivirus specialist Network Associates, has walked out on the vendor after just eight months.

Richard Parkinson, UK managing director of antivirus specialist Network Associates, has walked out on the vendor after just eight months.

Parkinson has been replaced with immediate effect by Phil Harragan, who was Network Associates's general manager of European sales.

Sarah Whipp, European channel marketing manager at Network Associates, denied that Parkinson's departure was performance-related. "We're disappointed and very sorry to see him go, but you can't stop people from doing what they're good at," she said.

Parkinson joined Network Associates in early 1998 following the vendor's acquisition of Trusted Information Systems. Before his appointment as UK managing director last August, Parkinson was head of European channel sales. Sources said Parkinson did not feel comfortable as head of a large organisation.

One insider who did not want to be named said: "He's always been involved with those [startup] companies, and those sort of people don't necessarily enjoy the management side. They're not the same breed."

Whipp said Harragan's appointment is positive for the channel, despite his background in direct sales. "He's used to working through the channel because he's used to giving the commitments that can be provided by resellers. He has got good connections at a very high level," she said.

The article was first published in 12 April issue of Computer Reseller News