Channel grows new heads

A rash of appointments has hit the channel, with Brightpoint, Fujitsu and LogicaCMG all producing new senior heads in seven days.

Wireless voice and data distributor Brightpoint has appointed former Daisytek operations manager Stephen Smith as national distribution and logistics manager.

Smith's background is in international supply chain management and enterprise systems implementation. He has also held roles at Fairlight ESP, Sirius Technologies, Banksia Technology and NetComm. Smith is a Master of Business Administration and holds a graduate diploma in operations management.

Smith will be based in Sydney and oversee warehousing, distribution and fulfillment for Brightpoint Australia.

System integrator Fujitsu Australia has announced Rod Vawdrey will take the role of CEO from Asia-Pacific senior vice-president Nori Karasuda.

Karasuda said Vawdrey had about 15 years of senior executive management experience with NCR Corporation and a proven track record in strategic leadership.

'Rod is able to bring both regional and global knowledge to the position together with valuable experience in building, leading and motivating successful teams,' Karasuda said.

Vawdrey's most recent role, vice president for worldwide sales and marketing for NCR's retail division, involved responsibility for sales and professional services in the Americas, Europe, Japan and the Asia Pacific.

Vawdrey said he was looking forward to working with Fujitsu. 'Fujitsu is, without doubt, one of the most formidable players in the global ICT market,' Vawdrey said.

Meanwhile, system integrator and outsourcer LogicaCMG has assigned a former BHP man, Michael Duke, to lead the company in Queensland.

As new state manager, Duke is expected to manage the local team and lead business development strategy, focusing particularly on energy, utilities, government, finance and transport verticals.

Duke said he aimed to bolster the company's existing Queensland reputation.

'My focus is to grow the LogicaCMG business in Queensland within our traditional energy and utilities base and beyond into other key industry areas,' Duke said.

Andrew Tindell, CEO for LogicaCMG Australasia, said he believed the Queensland market had 'enormous' potential for the global company. 'This opportunity needs a strong leader to take the team to the next level,' Tindell said.

Duke has also worked for the Federal government in an executive capacity and as a strategy consultant. He comes direct from a position managing an Australian management consultancy where he was also responsible for business relationships and organisational development, LogicaCMG said.