Hyland and two more head for Fortinet exit doors

Changing of the UK guard at network security vendor

Fortinet is rebuilding its UK team following the quick-fire departure of three top local staff, including country manager Mark Hyland.

The network security vendor has confirmed to CRN that Hyland has left the business after two years helming the UK operation, which sources say struggled to hit ambitious internal targets last year.

Also departing are business development manager Chris Walsh, who is currently working out his notice, and major finance accounts director Richard Fern.

In a statement to CRN, Fortinet confirmed that newly installed regional vice president Andy Travers will run the UK while a new country manager is sought.

"We wish Mark all the best for the future," Travers said.

"Now, my objective is to accelerate our growth in the UK to align our position there with our global one, being now recognised as the third-largest network security vendor – ahead of Juniper."

According to sources, Fortinet's UK team had been asked to deliver 40 per cent growth in 2013, an ambitious target made all the more difficult by the unforgiving market conditions and the fact its 2012 numbers were given an artificial sheen by a seven-figure, one-off deal. Although full-year sales rose "substantially", this may not have been enough to impress top brass.

Travers' arrival, from rival F5 Networks, in October only added to the sense that change could be in the air at the security vendor, which posted a 17 per cent jump in global sales in Q4, with EMEA sales rising 10 per cent to $59.5m (£35.8m).

Rumour has it that one of Travers' top lieutenants at F5, channel boss Dave Park, could be imminently joining Fortinet in a high-level UK management position after his departure from F5 was confirmed last month.

One Fortinet partner, who wished to remain anonymous, welcomed the shake-up.

"Fortinet has a massive opportunity in the high-end network security market in the UK and need to get the right people in place," he said. "They weren't where they expected to be last year."

Fortinet did not reference the UK in its most recent quarterly analyst call – a transcript of which can be found here – but said it had been "another quarter of solid execution" in EMEA as a whole.

It is understood that Hyland handed in his notice last Friday and is now on gardening leave.

Travers said: "The UK is a priority market for us to invest in, and we will significantly increase the team in the next weeks and months."