Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 08 | Page 54

SonicWall appoints Michael Berg to lead channel programme in Europe SonicWall, the trusted security partner protecting more than one million networks worldwide, has announced that Michael Berg has joined the company as Senior Director of Channel Sales with a focus on Europe. As the latest addition to SonicWall’s worldwide sales and channel team, Berg will enhance the company’s strong relationships with the European channel and enable SonicWall to deepen its relationships with distributors. SonicWall has added leadership in the European market to partner more closely with the channel in securing customers from threat vectors such as ransomware, leveraging the company’s real-time breach detection and prevention solutions guided by real-time insights from the SonicWall Capture Threat Network. As part of the Worldwide Sales and Channel team, Berg will drives sales and channel programmes in Europe and is based in Switzerland. He will be responsible for executing on SonicWall’s 100 per cent channel go-to-market strategies, partner recruitment and development, distribution partnerships and the full implementation of the SonicWall SecureFirst Partner Programme to drive mutual revenue growth with the channel. 54 “SonicWall has already garnered unprecedented traction with channel partners globally and in Europe since spinning off as an independent cybersecurity company in November,” said Steve Pataky, Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Channel. “Michael’s expertise will strengthen the deep partnerships we are building with channel partners in the next phase of our growth. I’m particularly excited that Michael brings personal experience working with distributors and can strengthen our close ties with the distributor community.” Berg brings to SonicWall more than 20 years of experience working with channel partners and distributors in the region. He joins the SonicWall team after serving as the Channel Director at encrypted communications firm Silent Circle, where he lead commercial activities with distributors in the mobile device space. Previously, he was Vice President of Project Management at leading IT distributor ASBISc Enterprises PLC and established strong channel relationships across EMEA. Berg developed his in-depth knowledge of distributors earlier in his career during his 15 years at distributor Tech Data, where he served in various management positions in Germany and Switzerland. “After 20 years of working with channel partners and distributors, I have developed a great impression of SonicWall,” said Berg. “The rush of partners to join the SonicWall SecureFirst Partner Programme demonstrates that the company enjoys partnerships with the channel that are unmatched in the industry. I am excited to join SonicWall at a time when it’s seeing incredible traction with the channel worldwide, fuelled by a mix of strong leadership, innovative solutions and channel enablement.” New SAP MENA Channel Head appointed to enable SME digital transformation SAP has appointed Zakaria Haltout as Head of Global Channels and General Business for the Middle East and North Africa. The SAP Middle East and North Africa channel programme grew by 61 per cent, with channel coverage increasing by 25 per cent from 2015–2016, making it one of the fastest-growing regions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa for the SAP PartnerEdge Programme. SAP counts over 120 regional partners. “Zakaria Haltout is a proven leader, with local knowledge and expertise, who will drive the Middle East and North Africa as a strategic global market. We will work closely in upskilling our partners to enable the digital transformation of small and medium enterprises,” said Nick Malone, Vice President of EMEA South, Global Channels and General Business unit at SAP. Based in Dubai, Zakaria Haltout reports to Nick Malone. Zakaria Haltout has been with SAP since 2008, and has 17 years of technology experience. ssue 08 NTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS