Sales bigwigs depart HP Enterprise Security Services

UK sales director James Pattinson and European GM Nick Baglin depart VAR formerly known as Vistorm

Two of HP Enterprise Security Services' top sales heads have left the security integrator in quick succession, ChannelWeb has learned.

Nick Baglin, who was EMEA general manager and worldwide director of sales at the firm formerly known as Vistorm, and UK sales director James Pattinson have both left the firm to join pre-IPO vendors.

Baglin joined Vistorm in 2005 before being promoted to director of sales in 2009, after the security integrator was bought by HP-owned services outfit EDS. According to his LinkedIn profile, he left HP last month to take up the vice president of EMEA sales post at security vendor Cyber-Ark.

Pattinson (pictured), who joined the firm in September following three years at distributor Arrow ECS, also left at the end of last month to join security intelligence and analytics vendor Solera Networks.

Talking to ChannelWeb, Pattinson said the timing of the departures was purely coincidental and stressed that HP is very much still investing in its security business.

"HP has obviously had some adverse press recently but the security business is in robust health, is expanding rapidly and continues to receive investment," he said. "Nick and I leaving is nothing to do with that overall vision."

Pattinson said he had been tracking pre-IPO vendor Solera since 2008.

"I know the CEO, CTO and chairman and the timing is right for entry into the European market."

Solera's recent $20m (£13m) investment round led by Intel Capital will be used for global expansion and product development, Pattinson signalled.

In a letter sent to staff dated 9 May, HP Enterprise Security boss Dan Turner confirmed that Baglin's global sales director duties would be filled by US-based vice president Sean Meeks on an interim basis.

ChannelWeb was awaiting official comment from HP as this story was published.