Exclusive: Dell EMC hunting for new UK channel boss as Sarah Shields takes European role

Shields to become VP of enterprise channel, Europe - but stresses the UK will remain a key market for her

Sarah Shields is to become Dell EMC's new VP of enterprise channel, Europe, with the vendor now seeking a replacement for Shield's current UK role.

In the new role Shields will focus on working with partners targeting large enterprise accounts across Europe - something that she told CRN that partners have pushed Dell EMC for.

"These large deals are very much outcome orientated and that's what I need to get close to, because that's what partners are asking for," Shields said. "This is a great opportunity for partners that want to hit that large base of enterprise customers.

"It is a chance for partners to have a much deeper relationship with Dell EMC because it is not just the large partners that come to mind first that we are looking for, but also the specialist, boutique partners that bring something very niche to the enterprise space.

"We're also putting together a subset of our existing programme that will be 100 per cent focused on our enterprise partners."

Shields said she is currently in the process of putting together a team to work with her in her new role, but said she will not transition until a replacement for her current role (VP and GM of Dell EMC UKI channels) has been found.

A shortlist of potential candidates has been drawn up, but Shields encouraged people to apply for the role. She also stressed that the UK will remain important to her in her new position.

"We are interviewing like crazy now, but this is the best job in the world and in the channel so anybody who thinks they can do it should get in contact," she added.

"In my 25 years working in the channel I've never loved a job so much."

In the new role Shields will report into Dell EMC's senior VP for EMEA Michael Collins, as she does in her current capacity.