Chambers heads for Riverbed exit doors

Marcus Chambers leaves vendor to pursue other opportunities after six years in the hotseat

Riverbed has confirmed that long-standing EMEA boss Marcus Chambers is leaving the vendor to pursue a fresh challenge in the industry.

Former Cisco, 3Com and Brocade executive Chambers joined Riverbed as vice president of EMEA in 2005, but will leave the WAN optimisation specialist at the end of May.

Talking to ChannelWeb, Chambers stressed that his departure was "incredibly amicable and mutually agreed". He will hold onto his shareholding in the NASDAQ-listed firm.

"I have a huge regard for Riverbed and feel responsible for its success in Europe almost as if it were another child," Chambers said.

"I am sure it will prosper on the foundations I have helped build."

Riverbed recently logged a 45 per cent year-on-year hike in first-quarter sales to $163.6m (£98.8m), allowing it to bank an expectation-busting net profit of $13m.

Mark Lewis, senior director of EMEA marketing and alliances, paid tribute to Chambers' contribution to Riverbed's growth in EMEA.

"Due to the nature of our industry, it is only natural that people move onto new challenges from time to time," he added in a statement. "We wish Marcus every success for the future and thank him for his valuable contribution to Riverbed."

Neither party could shed any light on Chambers' possible successor at this stage.

Chambers concluded: "In the context of the business world [our parting of ways] is as complementary and flattering to each other as it could be. It has been a very successful, hardworking six years. In the next three months you will see me come back into industry."