Hitachi Data Systems Corporation (HDS) South Africa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi (TSE: 6501), has promoted Shaun Barendsen to the role of Solution and Product Group Director, Emerging Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA).
Barendsen will be responsible for driving the HDS Solution Strategy and the alignment of the pre-sales operations across the region, with a specific focus on how technology can help to increase the productivity and competitiveness of businesses in the emerging EMEA region.
Barendsen joined HDS more than 11 years ago as a business development (BD) consultant, after which he headed up the BD team and then the national sales team. He was appointed as regional director and country manager for sub-Saharan Africa in April 2013.
"My key objective is to ensure that our pre-sales and business consultants are armed with the requisite knowledge, expertise and support that enables HDS to provide best-of-breed solutions to our clients, enhancing their competitive advantage in their respective markets," says Barendsen.
Erasmus (Rassie) Jacobs, currently Sales and Business Development director for sub-Saharan Africa, will move to the role of General Manager and Sales Director, HDS Sub-Saharan Africa. He will take over the helm as the company continues along its growth path in Africa.
"I have witnessed the exceptional growth of HDS in Africa. I look forward to further growth in the region in my new role as GM and Sales Director and am looking forward to being part of the team growing our footprint on the continent as we enable companies to innovate with information," says Jacobs.
Steve Murphy, Vice-President, Emerging EMEA, says: "Hitachi Data Systems is powered by an experienced management team. Both Rassie and Shaun have proven their abilities to develop, align and execute key business strategies and are a perfect fit in their new roles to bring us into our next stage of growth."
Both Barendsen and Jacobs will report directly into Steven Murphy and officially assume their new roles immediately.
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