Michael Bernhardt to lead global distribution sales at HPE

He will work with HPE's sales, marketing, services and enablement teams to help distributors achieve sustainable business success

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has appointed Michael Bernhardt as VP of worldwide distribution sales.

He succeeds Simon Ewington, who took over the overall management of HPE's global partner business in November 2023 and has since led distribution sales on an interim basis.

As VP, Bernhardt will report to Ewington and will be responsible for the strategy and business with HPE's distributors worldwide.

In his new role Bernhardt will work with HPE's sales, marketing, services and enablement teams to help distributors achieve sustainable business success and ensure optimal alignment of strategies and operational processes.

"Working with distribution has been the common thread of my career at HP and HPE so far – that's why this new role is the dream job for me," said Bernhardt.

"In its dual role as wholesaler and channel developer, distribution plays a key role for our partner business and therefore for HPE as a whole.

"Accordingly, I want to achieve two goals at the same time: strengthen our transactional IT infrastructure business and support the channel in its transformation towards services and solutions, for example based on our hybrid cloud platform HPE GreenLake."

Michael Bernhardt started his career at HP in 1996.

After a one-year interlude at Agilent Technologies, he returned to HP in 2000 as an account manager for distribution partners in Germany.

In 2011, he took over responsibility for distribution sales in EMEA. Most recently, he was the global account manager for the distributor TD Synnex at HPE.

Simon Ewington, VP of worldwide channel and partner ecosystem at HPE added: "I have worked with Michael for many years, and I am pleased to have him move into the important leadership role of VP of Worldwide Distribution."

"His strategic, organisational, and cultural acumen will be instrumental in continuing to navigate the transformation needed to accelerate HPE's distribution business worldwide successfully.

"I am confident his experience and expertise will be a driving force for continued success within this critical segment of our business."