Kaspersky promotes Chris Connell to European director

Kaspersky internet security shield shown on a device

Global cyber security company Kaspersky has announced the promotion of Chris Connell to deputy vice president of Global Sales and Director of European Operations.

Stepping up from his position of UK and Ireland general manager, he will , which includes sales framework development and implementation, sales pipeline planning and performance.

Connell, who will remain based in London in the new role, will also be tasked with ensuring that the SMB, Enterprise and Tangible segments of the business all align with the its global sales strategy, Kaspersky said.

“It’s an exciting time to be growing with a fast-paced company like Kaspersky, that’s playing a crucial role at the front line of cyber-war defence,” Connell commented. “The cornerstone of our business strategy is to transform our leading security intelligence into real protection for our clients, to enable them to use technologies in their lives and businesses safely and trust them.”

Connell boasts more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, delivering consistent revenue and profit growth at companies including VIP Computers and Azlan. His broad sector experience has also seen him work with several blue-chip tech firms, such as IBM, HP and Apple. Prior to joining Kaspersky, he spent 15 years at Ingram Micro as Vendor Director across several categories in the B2B and B2C sectors.

In March 2019, Connell took up the role of UK and Ireland general manager at Kaspersky, with the position then expanded to cover the Nordic and Benelux regions. The provider said it was his fresh perspective on operations in the region that helped identify new opportunities for growth both in the UK and wider European market.

“This year has already brought some new and exciting opportunities forward for our company and, Chris’ role in particular, will bring the final pieces of the puzzle together,” said Evgeniya Naumova, vice president of the Global Sales Network.

“2020 promises to be a productive and rewarding year for all of us at Kaspersky as we realise our vision for the future.”

Daniel Todd

Dan is a freelance writer and regular contributor to ChannelPro, covering the latest news stories across the IT, technology, and channel landscapes. Topics regularly cover cloud technologies, cyber security, software and operating system guides, and the latest mergers and acquisitions.

A journalism graduate from Leeds Beckett University, he combines a passion for the written word with a keen interest in the latest technology and its influence in an increasingly connected world.

He started writing for ChannelPro back in 2016, focusing on a mixture of news and technology guides, before becoming a regular contributor to ITPro. Elsewhere, he has previously written news and features across a range of other topics, including sport, music, and general news.