Dicker Data snags HPE server leader

Dicker Data has fortified its Hewlett Packard Enterprise credentials by hiring Ishan Limaye, who spent more than 12 years at the vendor – most recently as manager, strategic growth initiatives, HP servers.

Limaye (pictured) has become the national HPE alliance manager at Australian-owned distributor Dicker Data, covering the "breadth of the server and storage portfolio", he told CRN.

"HPE have been a fantastic organisation to work for over twelve-and-a-half years," said Limaye. "While this is obviously a bittersweet moment for them, there has been nothing but 100 percent support [for the move], understanding I will still be an advocate for the brand."

The appointment follows Dicker's appointment in May of Limaye's HPE colleague, Manpal Jagpal, who joined Dicker Data as alliances manager for HPE networking. The pair are reunited at Dicker, overseeing HPE's infrastructure portfolio.

"Manpal and I used to work side by side in HPE in similar capacities so I am looking forward to being able to work with him. Dicker is investing heavily and bringing the kind of skillsets that partners will appreciate," said Limaye.

"The distribution market is one where differentiation is key as well as the service levels you can provide partners. That is where Dicker has made the investment not just with myself but also Manpal," he added.

Dicker Data's HPE business unit manager Marty Simunic said that the appointment of Limaye and Jagpal was a "long term investment".

"The experience and understanding that they bring in terms of both the HPE product range and the HPE partner ecosystem will be invaluable as we continue to solidify our position as a true value-added HPE distributor," he said.

Dicker is not alone in bolstering its Hewlett Packard business. Last month, Ingram Micro promoted its HP business manager, Chris Price, to the role of senior general manager of vendor management. Before joining Ingram in 2015, Price was commercial director of Dicker Data.

Both long-term HP distributors face a new competitor in the shape of Distribution Central, which has been bullish in its predictions for the vendor after securing HPE in February.

Tumultuous time for HPE

The news comes amid a tumultuous time for HPE Australia, which has changed channel managers, undergone a major shake-up of its distributors, and seen a number of senior executives depart. The company has reported four years of major losses in the Australian market.

Limaye told CRN he was eager to get out into the channel and engage with the vendor's tier-two partners, offering them a conduit into Hewlett Packard forged after more than a decade with the company. "Having worked here for twelve-and-a-half years, I have some great relationships with the teams at HPE."

Limaye started his career in 2003 in a retail role, "funnily enough selling HP PCs and printers". The new position marks Limaye's first time in the distribution space, though he is very familiar with Dicker Data.

"My first role at HP was looking after Dicker Data as an inside salesperson looking after the channel, so I have worked with Dicker Data ever since I started at HP. Across the various roles, I've had engagement with the distributor and tier-one and tier-two partners."

He comes from an IT lineage – his father, Ranjit Limaye, was managing director of IBM India among other senior positions at IBM Australia and IBM Asia Pacific, and his mother, Rashmi, worked for Digital Equipment Corporation. "My path was quite clear from the start," Limaye said.