Datatec`s Westcon Group, a global channel provider of networking technology products, has appointed Simon Minett and Stephen Bowers to executive management positions at Westcon Group European Operations (WGEO). The new appointments are part of Westcon`s strategy to drive efficiencies and leverage resources in European operations.
WGEO will serve as Westcon Group`s European centralised operating unit, providing operating and financial services to the Comstor and Westcon subsidiaries throughout Europe.
Minett, previously managing director of Comstor UK, will assume the role of vice-president, operations, WGEO. He joined Comstor in 1998 as operations director, where he succeeded in streamlining the company`s logistics and operational infrastructure, overseeing a fourfold increase in UK revenues while retaining a dominant share of Cisco`s distribution market in the UK.
Bowers, who joined the company in 2001 as finance director, has been a key contributor to Comstor UK`s considerable financial strength and profitability during the last two years. He now takes on the role of finance director, WGEO.
Alan Marc Smith, Westcon Group`s president and CEO, says: "I am excited to announce these well deserved appointments at our European operations. Both Simon and Stephen, who have very impressive track records with their respective accomplishments in the UK, will gradually transition their roles from Comstor UK to WGEO over a six-month period. By giving them greater responsibility in these new roles, we are taking further steps to implement our new European management and operating structure. This enables us to leverage our existing strengths while driving new efficiencies into the European organisation in support of our Westcon and Comstor subsidiaries."
Edzard Overbeek, vice-president EMEA Channels & Alliances of Cisco Systems, Inc, commented: "We are confident that these appointments, and the centralisation of operations and finance in Europe, will result in improved quality of service to mutual Comstor customers across the continent."
Dimension Data UK is a key Comstor reseller whose chief operating officer Andrew Coulsen also welcomes the executive appointments. "Our experience with Simon, Stephen and Comstor UK as a whole has been extremely smooth and we expect that Westcon Group`s new management structure will result in even greater revenue opportunities for its resellers," says Coulsen.
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Datatec is an international networking and IT services group with operations in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Middle East and the Asia Pacific region. The group generates more than 95% of its revenue in hard currency outside SA.
The group provides active management support in the strategic direction and operation of its subsidiaries and has three principal lines of business:
* Westcon, a global channel provider of advanced networking, security, data and voice communications and convergence products, based in the US and the largest distributor worldwide of equipment in this sector, with operations in many countries;
* Logical, an international professional services and IT network integration group headquartered in London and with operations in more than 10 countries; and
* Mason, a leading European telecommunications and IT convergence consultancy providing business solutions to public and private sector organisations worldwide. Mason`s key services include strategic and business planning; procurement and outsourcing; design and engineering; programme and project management; network optimisation and training courses.
The group also has similarly focused operations in SA. These are Westcon AME, Affinity Logic and RangeGate.
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