Johannesburg, 23 Jan 2009
SecureData MD Brett Parker has been suspended, according to sources close to the company, but reasons for the suspension are unclear at this stage.
Parker would not comment when approached by ITWeb. He did confirm he received a letter notifying him of his suspension and instructing him to not comment on the matter to anyone.
He also said he would be required to attend a hearing soon - the date of which is yet to be confirmed.
Parker joined the company in January 2007, with over 10 years' experience in IT sales, channel management and corporate leadership. He previously worked at Microsoft as the enterprise and partner group director and was appointed VP of territory sales, EMEA at SAP.
Sources say Parker's suspension - which was announced in an internal company e-mail - came as a shock as Parker is highly valued in the company for his loyalty and his way of doing things.
Employees were reportedly also instructed in the e-mail to not talk about the suspension to anyone - inside or outside the company.
Speculation is that the suspension was most likely politically motivated and could stem from an investment deal that Parker was heading up.
Sources close to the company also speculate that Parker will be dismissed to make way for the return of the group CEO from the UK, Dean Brazier. They say management will use the upcoming hearing to dismiss Parker for failing to perform - a claim they say will be contradicted by his performance record at SecureData.
Brazier, who is currently in SA, confirmed the suspension, saying: “At this moment I can confirm there is a pending disciplinary hearing against Brett Parker. I can't say any more on that as there is a very strict process that needs to be followed and I will only be able to give more details once the process has played itself out.”
Brazier also confirmed he had authorised Parker's suspension, saying: “I ordered his suspension. It came from me.”
However, he refuted the claim that he is gearing to take over the position of MD, saying: “I have no intention of returning to SA. I have recently made an investment in the UK and will be staying there. I have faith in my management team here and believe they're doing a good job.”