Citrix hires Microsoft exec Aasma as EMEA channel boss

Pilkku Aasma has been appointed as vendor’s new vice president for partner sales in EMEA

Citrix has drafted in longstanding Microsoft exec Pilkku Aasma as its EMEA channel boss.

Based in Munich, Aasma (pictured) has worked her way up att Microsoft for two decades. She most recently led Microsoft's small, medium and corporate customer segment in Germany, where she was responsible for around 40,000 partners.

"2020 was an exceptional year which tested the resilience and adaptability of both companies and people in how we work, collaborate and support each other," she said.

"It's safe to say that the North Star for 2021 will be further digital transformation as remote work is here to stay at a scale unprecedented before the global pandemic."

Aasma takes over from Daren Finney, who has been promoted to chief operating officer for the Citrix's worldwide channel organisation.

Both roles report to Bronwyn Hastings, senior vice president, worldwide channel sales and ecosystem.

"With extensive experience leading large-scale cloud transformation projects, Pilkku will play a key role in accelerating our move to cloud," Hastings said.

"She will focus on strengthening partnerships, building a sales-driven growth channel and expanding the ecosystem with strategic partners to drive a more holistic offering for customers in EMEA."

Its not the first change Citrix has made to its channel business as of late.

Last month its UK&I business also gained new leadership, in the form of Mark Sweeney.

And the company started 2021 with a major acquisition, snapping up work management platform Wrike for $2.2bn (€1.83bn).