Pure Storage drafts in EMEA head of channels

Storage vendor hopes new addition will help it expand and improve its business

Pure Storage has announced the appointment of a new EMEA head of channels and alliances.

Ben Savage will join the flash storage vendor to bolster its focus on the channel, which it says will help the firm better qualify business and increase its win rate, reach and speed.

When asked how important the channel was to Pure, Savage (pictured) told CRN: "Pure is 100 per cent channel focused in that we drive all our business with partners globally.

"Approximately 50 per cent of our transactions are sourced by partners via opportunity registration and related collaboration among our go-to-market teams. As such, partners are an essential part of our market-facing activity."

Savage added that the vendor's recent update to its partner programme and the signing of Arrow as a new distributor of its products "highlights some of the foundational steps" Pure is taking to drive its growth in collaboration with the partner community.

"Specific investments in MDF and partner enablement provide solid vehicles for growth in the channel," he said.

Before joining Pure, Savage held the position of vice president of managed and cloud services at network provider Colt, where he was responsible for growing the company's direct and indirect channels.