Kaspersky parts ways with UK boss

Malcolm Tuck leaves as part of restructure of anti-virus vendor

Anti-virus vendor Kaspersky Lab has parted ways with UK managing director Malcolm Tuck as part of a restructuring process.

The Russia-based firm confirmed in a statement that Tuck, who joined Kaspersky from Symantec in 2008, has "decided to pursue alternative opportunities outside of Kaspersky".

Tuck's departure follows that of corporate sales director Bill Trim last year, who also joined Kaspersky from Symantec in 2008.

Kaspersky recently recruited a UK corporate sales director in the form of Andrew Lintell. It is belived that Lintell has been reporting into Kaspersky European sales boss, Ilijana Vavan, rather than Tuck, since he joined in February.

However, Kaspersky declined to say whether it intends to appoint a UK managing director above him.

"Kaspersky Lab is undergoing a restructure of its business to enable continued growth for the future," the vendor said in a statement. "Further details on the restructure will be made available in due course."

Ian Kilpatrick, chairman of Kaspersky corporate distributor Wick Hill, said: "We are excited by the direction Kaspersky is taking and it has some really positive plans for strong growth."

Chris Walsh, sales director at Kaspersky's other corporate distributor, Exclusive Networks, added: "Malcolm and his team did a good job, but sometimes things need freshening up.

"It almost seems like we are working with a new vendor that has been rejuvenated. Kaspersky has some good messaging coming out in the channel this year and we look forward to another successful year with them following a record quarter."