Cisco taps Microsoft veteran Rodney Clark for partnerships SVP position

Clark will focus on strengthening Cisco’s routes to market like managed services and cloud marketplaces

25-year Microsoft alum, Rodney Clark, has joined Cisco as its new partnerships and small and medium business SVP.

Cisco hopes Rodney can empower and enable its global ecosystem of partners, strengthening its position in routes to market like managed services and cloud marketplaces, maximising the opportunities in the small and medium business segment.

"Approximately 90 per cent of our annual bookings runs through our partners, and Rodney is the perfect leader to drive our next phase of growth," explained EVP and chief customer and partner officer, Jeff Sharritts.

"Our ecosystem of partners is not only our single biggest advantage in the market, but it's also fundamental to our transformation strategy."

Sharritts explained Rodney's a proven global sales and business leader who has deep channel experience.

During a nearly 25-year career at Microsoft, Rodney held various senior sales leadership positions, including serving as the corporate VP, global channel sales and channel chief.

Prior to Microsoft, he spent nine years with IBM in sales, marketing, and management. Most recently, Rodney was the chief commercial officer at Johnson Controls.

"Through each stop, Rodney has driven transformation at scale, been a passionate advocate for the channel, and a strong, empathetic leader who invests deeply in his teams," Sharritts said.

"Rodney also has a great deal of knowledge and respect for everything that Cisco and its ecosystem of partners have accomplished together in 25+ years…but he has a bold vision for our future.

"To succeed in this role, you have to understand our legacy, but you can't be beholden to it. Rodney will bring that perspective."

Cisco also recently appointed José Van Dijk to head up its EMEA channel.