EMC man Sparks takes on Cisco's commercial business

Kevin Sparks to take on part of the role once carried out by Richard Roberts

EMC's former channel boss Kevin Sparks is on his way to Cisco to lead its commercial business.

Sparks used to run EMC's channel business until it was acquired by Dell, when Sarah Shields - who came from the Dell side - took overall responsibility for the combined Dell EMC channel.

Cisco confirmed to CRN that Sparks will lead the commercial business, a role which was once held by Richard Roberts.

Roberts popped up at Purple as its EMEA vice president in December, after leaving his role as managing director for partner and commercial sales for Cisco UK in October.

Angela Whitty now leads the partner side of the business, with Sparks poised to take on the commercial arm alongside her.

Cisco confirmed Sparks' move and Sparks said he is delighted to be working alongside Whitty, "where leveraging the channel will be a key contributor to [his] success in running the commercial business".

CRN reported yesterday that former Cisco channel man Alanzo Blackstock has left his role to lead VMware's UK partner business.