RIM reshuffles EMEA execs in bid to build momentum

BlackBerry appoints Stephen Bates as regional managing director for Europe, with Rob Orr taking UK and Ireland top job

Research In Motion (RIM) has rejigged its director line-up, promoting Stephen Bates to the role of regional managing director for Europe.

Bates, who previously held the role of managing director of the UK and Ireland for two and a half years, will be replaced by Rob Orr, former EMEA vice president for product management.

In his new role, which will take effect from 1 September, Bates will be responsible for "market responsiveness, customer engagement and maximising employee focus across the European organisation", according to the BlackBerry maker.

RIM claimed that the move coincides with plans to ensure the RIM team in Europe is optimally structured to be fully focused on selling BlackBerry 7 smartphones, according to a statement.

Orr, who has worked at RIM for more than six years, will take up Bates' former role and is charged with building and maintaining business momentum.

A RIM statement said: "[Orr] has been instrumental in helping the EMEA region grow to become a major part of RIM's global business. With this new appointment, he now takes on the fresh challenge of maintaining and building on the strong business momentum in the UK and Ireland markets."