Compaq hit by further departure

Ian Snadden has left his post as national sales manager at Compaq to join Fujitsu Siemens as director of channel sales. The move has put further question marks over Compaq's commitment to the indirect channel and follows several high-profile departures from the company.

Ian Snadden has left his post as national sales manager at Compaq to join Fujitsu Siemens as director of channel sales. The move has put further question marks over Compaq's commitment to the indirect channel and follows several high-profile departures from the company.

Snadden had managed channel partners at Compaq after the merger with Digital, where he also worked with resellers. "It's a very good opportunity for me," said Snadden, citing the challenge, excitement and good career prospects on offer at Fujitsu Siemens.

He also feels that the channel played a part in his decision. "I'm a veteran of the channel," he said. "There are lots of companies with good products but there have not been many offering real commitment to the channel."

Snadden declined to comment on whether or not Compaq shows channel commitment. "You'll have to ask a reseller about that," he said.

Other executives to leave the company in the past year include senior vice president Enrico Pesatori in May, Joe McNally, UK managing director, in July and Gareth Cadwallader, UK enterprise solutions and services group director, who joined managed security service provider Esoft Global as chief executive just days ago.

One anonymous managing director at a Compaq reseller said the move illustrates the internal strife at Compaq. "This is a blow. I rated Cadwallader very highly. McNally also was a channel stalwart. If they lose Nick [Offin, partner sales director], I wonder what will happen."

Snadden said his new employer is channel-friendly. "What is unique about Fujitsu Siemens is it walks the walk and talks the talk. A lot of companies lack clarity when it comes to the channel."

Fujitsu Siemens was planning to cut the number of its UK distributors to four and re-evaluate its channel partners, but Snadden said that his remit is to increase the number of resellers.