Avnet unveils post-Magirus EMEA management structure

Eponymous founder Christian Magirus to head up Avnet TS' services business, while Fabian von Kuenheim to step into advisory role

Avnet Technology Solutions (TS) has restructured its EMEA management in the wake of its acquisition of $530m-turnover rival Magirus.

Four weeks after closing the deal - which propelled it into four new European countries - Avnet TS has handed Magirus' eponymous founder, Christian Magirus (pictured), a role within its EMEA executive management team.

While Magirus will stay on as vice president of services, his partner in crime Fabian von Kuenheim will step down from involvement in day-to-day operations, but will retain his title and serve Avnet in an advisory capacity.

Meanwhile, Magirus' vice president for sales, eastern region, Joerg Speikamp, is leaving the business.

Avnet TS announced that four other Magirus vice presidents or directors - Gert Weber, Martin Lauer, Petra Speidel and Andreas Bockwinkel - will retain key executive roles within Avnet.

Avnet TS said Magirus' appointment underlines the significance it is placing on developing its services offering. Magirus will be responsible for Avnet's services businesses WBT, Client Solutions, Ascendant, Canvas, Colt cloud services and Matelli, as well as all in-country services except vendor-resold services.

Graeme Watt, president, Avnet TS, EMEA, said: "This structure will drive more collaboration and speed execution between the country and EMEA operations. It will also enable us to accelerate the regionalisation and centralisation of resources in a way that better supports the business moving forward."

Avnet TS stressed that Speikamp's departure is as a result of its decision to split EMEA into four regions. Newly crowned UK boss Sukh Rayat will lead the north region, with Roman Rudolf, Judith Ecker and Miriam Murphy heading up the central, east and west regions, respectively.

Watt said: "Magirus and Avnet would like to thank Joerg for his commitment to Magirus over the past 16 years and his contribution to the integration process and wish him all the best for the future."