Executive manoeuvres at 3Com and Avaya
IT merry-go-round continues to turn
The IT merry-go-round continued to turn last week, with Avaya appointing a new SMBS channel manager and industry speculation pointing to former Westcon chief Richard Chilver becoming UK manager at 3Com.
Paul Louden, a veteran of channel operations at Cable & Wireless and Orange, replaces Richard Pitt at Avaya. Pitt left the firm in December last year.
"My job at Orange was around mobile data; we'd been good at evangelising it, and my job was to turn that into sales," Louden said. "I felt I had delivered, and then Avaya knocked on my door. Now is the time for IP telephony. I think there will be significant revenue growth this year."
Louden promised to review Avaya SMBS's channel organisation to ensure that direct-touch sales staff are "pointed in the right direction". But he added that he has no intention of changing what already exists. "The first thing anyone does in a new job is review what is there. There will be no shake-up," he said.
Tim Brooks, Crane's director of Avaya SME business, welcomed Louden's appointment.
"We've already talked, and I look forward to working with Paul," he said. "I think a fresh approach to the business can only be welcomed."
At present, Avaya's SMBS products are distributed by Crane, MTV, Westcon and Nimans.
In other moves, CRN understands that Richard Chilver, former managing director of Westcon, will join 3Com as its head of UK operations within the next few months. The vendor declined to comment.
Many regard this as a tough position. 3Com has got through several UK managing directors over the past few years, most recently losing Rob Coyne to reseller Xpert and Buddie Ceronie to Avaya.
Who's gone where?
Richard Pitt, SMBS channel development manager at Avaya: resigned.
Andy Palmer, UK managing director of Foundry Networks: made redundant.
Buddie Ceronie, vice-president of channel sales EMEA at 3Com: appointed vice-president of UK, Eire and southern Africa.
Clive Sawkins, vice-president of Avaya UK and Eire: resigned. Expected to take over EMEA IP telephony at Cisco.
Paul Louden, head of mobile solutions at Orange UK: appointed SMBS sales director for UK and Eire at Avaya.