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RSS feedsMicrosoft has finally named a replacement for its former UK managing director, Neil Hollway, after going almost eight months without a dedicated country head.
Alistair Baker moves into the UK managing director position from his previous role of general manager, small and mid-market solutions and partners.
"In his former role Baker was responsible for a large number of reseller relationships," said a Microsoft representative. "His experience is very much at the business end in the UK."
Alex Tatham, vice-president of global software at distributor Bell Microproducts, said that the move will benefit the channel.
"The vast majority of Baker's business in his previous role was through the channel. He is channel-friendly and realises its value," Tatham said.
Rob Killick, chief executive of Microsoft Gold partner cScape, said that the announcement comes at a good time.
"This appointment is overdue, because Microsoft is lacking a public face in the UK at a time when it is coming in for a lot of flak," he said.
"It has a huge PR challenge and Baker must take a prominent role in the media, particularly following the recent EU ruling."
The Microsoft representative said that the appointment's timing, after the EU fined the firm $331m for anti-competitive behaviour, is purely coincidental.
"There are always PR challenges for Microsoft, given its profile over the past 20 years, and reaction to the EU ruling will be handled by our team in Brussels and not UK management," he said.
A new Microsoft small and mid-market solutions and partners head in the UK will soon be appointed to fill Baker's boots.
"We are looking to fill Alistair's previous role internally if possible, and we are keen to do this as soon as possible," the representative said.
See also:
£331m fine and extra penalties for anti-competitive practices 24 Mar 2004All IT Management
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