Rackspace appoints Aussie channel manager

Rackspace has installed Brendon McHugh as its new channel manager for the Australian and New Zealand (A/NZ) region.

In the newly created role, McHugh will oversee Rackspace's A/NZ partner program which has been updated to include a raft of new incentives, incuding full enterprise level support (at Gold and Platinum levels) and co-op marketing funding (for Silver levels and up).

McHugh said the decision to appoint a local channel manager was fast-tracked by RackSpace due to significant growth in the region. 

"We've grown 400 percent so far this year so the [partner program] is really about continuing to expand the business," McHugh told CRN.

"We'll now be able to work with our A/NZ partners more strategically and give them more attention, which is where my role comes in. The channel manager role was always in the plan, but it's taken extra priority due to the launch of our data centres."   

The overhauled program, which specifically targets digital agencies, IT integrators and general systems integrators, uses a point-per-dollar system for sales and referrals to reward its partners. 

The updated program also includes partner training and the aforementioned co-marketing for increased revenue opportunities.   

Rackspace currently has around 80 active partners in Australia and New Zealand, ranging from member to silver, gold and platinum levels. 

McHugh would not divulge how much of RackSpace's business came from the channel compared to direct sales, but said the company expected continued growth next year, with plans to further expand the channel support team in the region. 

"Our partnership with the Australian channel is very important to RackSpace," McHugh said. "We've signed a lot of great brands through our partners over the years and they continue to play a really important role for us and our future strategy."

McHugh said RackSpace benefited partners by providing a trusted and completely managed service, across a broad portfolio of platforms.

"This eliminates the headache of managing infrastructure and our partners can focus on integration, development and growth,” he said. 

McHugh joined Rackspace Australia in April this year as a business and partner development manager. He previously worked as an IT consultant for Little Man Consultancy Ltd and Nelspecs Ltd, both in the UK.