Lenovo anoints UK boss

UK key to EMEA growth aspirations, vendor claims

Lenovo has stressed that its UK and Ireland business is key to its aim of becoming a top-three PC vendor in EMEA after appointing its first vice president for the region.

Marc Godin has stepped into the post following three years heading up Lenovo's public sector business in western Europe.

Despite growing EMEA unit shipments from 1.56 million to 2.30 million in the first quarter of 2012, Lenovo is still languishing in fifth place in the region on 8.2 per cent market share, according to Gartner.

However, third and fourth-placed Dell and Asus are firmly in its sights.

Godin will report to Gianfranco Lanci, who began his tenure as EMEA president on 2 April following his tumultuous departure from Acer last year.

Lenovo confirmed that its previous UK general manager (which was not a like-for-like position), David Blackmore, has moved into a role helming EMEA global accounts.

Lanci said: "Our business in the UK and Ireland is fundamental to achieving our growth targets and hitting that number-three spot. The UK and Ireland presents a real opportunity – not only because of its great potential, but also because all regions will contribute together in our success in EMEA."

Godin said the goal is to bolster Lenovo's already successful commercial business, while attacking a consumer market it has yet to crack.

"We have an innovative line-up of products coming out this year across our portfolio, ones that I am confident will inspire both consumer and business users alike," Godin said.

The UK & Ireland is one of five regions in Lenovo's new EMEA geography, the others being North, South, DACH and MEA.