Cisco formally unveils Roberts as channel top dog

Vendor confirms networking channel's worst-kept secret

Cisco has today formally announced that Richard Roberts (pictured) will serve as the leader of its UK and Ireland partner organisation from 1 August.

ChannelWeb revealed last week that the vendor's head of local government, healthcare and higher education sales is set to take on the channel top job. Cisco has now confirmed that Roberts, who has spent more than nine years with the networking giant in two spells with the company, will begin his post at the start of Cisco's new fiscal year.

Phil Smith, chief executive of Cisco UK and Ireland, said: "Richard has an inherent knowledge of Cisco, as well as an excellent understanding of channel operations and the opportunities and priorities that we will focus on in the coming months and years. I am delighted to welcome him to this new role and support him and his team as they grow and develop Cisco's UK and Ireland partner organisation."