F5 Networks' new UK boss targets channel Synthesis

Cisco and VMware partners wanted for new Flexpod-style architectural push

F5 Networks' new UK boss has called on Cisco and VMware partners to get on board with the vendor's newly formed Flexpod-style architectural alliance strategy.

The application traffic management vendor has refreshed its top UK management following the quick-fire departures of big cheese Andy Travers and channel director Dave Park.

F5's UK business is now helmed by Myles Bray, who joined from VCE at the start of January, while Bray has already appointed an internal candidate to fill the void left by Park, in the shape of Tim Hearn.

Talking to CRN, Bray said drumming up channel support for F5's new Synthesis scheme, which he admitted bears a resemblance to Cisco and NetApp's Flexpod architectural alliance, is a priority for the vendor.

"We are looking to offer an entire set of infrastructure solutions with user cases and reference architectures, which means working more closely with other technology companies like Cisco and VMware," said Bray, who is vice president of UK, Ireland and sub-Sahara Africa.

"There are Cisco and VMware partners we maybe don't do too much with today and we will expand our channel partnerships based on those technology partnerships.

"From what I've seen in the first couple of weeks here there is a lot of hard work and development going on around those reference architectures."

Travers exited F5 in October for Fortinet. It is not clear whether Park is following him to the network security vendor but Bray confirmed he has moved on "to advance his career".

"He's not made public where he's going, which is his choice," Bray said. "I wish him the best and I can see the respect he has among the resellers and distributors here."

Bray joins following a four-year stint at VCE, the separate company Cisco, VMware and EMC formed in 2009.

"I finished on a Friday and started here on the Monday, to the annoyance of my wife," he said.

"Having been involved in starting up a channel for VCE, I've come into F5 and am very pleased with the level of trust that's in place and cadence of the business. So my message I have is one of stability and consistency.

"We have a fantastic market opportunity right now. Customers are having to completely redesign the way they architect applications and the infrastructure underneath them. It is a huge opportunity for F5."