Anaplan bolsters ANZ channel play with two new hires

Business planning platform provider Anaplan has appointed a new local channel manager, with Christopher Wilkins filling the position of director of channels for Australia and New Zealand.

Based in Sydney, Wilkins is responsible for managing and enabling Anaplan's channel organisation within the region to support partner go-to-market strategies and sales. 

Wilkins has more than 20 years' experience in channel partner sales and management in the IT industry and was previously manager of partners and alliances at OpenText.

Prior to this, he served as Cortell Australia's New South Wales state sales manager and has also worked in business partner management roles at IBM, SAP, Cognos and Business Objects.

Anaplan regional vice president for Australia and New Zealand Patrick Elliott says, "Appointing Chris as our ANZ director of channels further reinforces our focus on regional organisational growth to enhance our position as a leader in connected planning solutions.

"At the same time, his appointment reflects our strategy to add specific domain experts and industry technology leaders to ensure that we are anticipating every technology advantage to help our partners create winning relationships with their customers.

In addition, Anaplan has also announced the appointment of Christo Nel as its Sydney-based senior solutions consultant. 

Nel is tasked with supporting Anaplan customers and channel partners with both pre-sales and post-sales deployment.

He will also work with end-user organisations to help facilitate the most effective use of the Anaplan platform by providing regional architecture and solution support services.

Nel joins Anaplan with more than 15 years' experience in the IT industry, including a ten-year career at IBM where most recently served as enterprise account manager, following several years' experience in technical sales management.

On Nel's appointment, Elliot says, "Nel brings a track record of success in building successful customer engagements.  He joins Anaplan at a critical time in our strategy to expand the market footprint of Anaplan among both private and public sector organisations.

"At the same time, his considerable experience and industry skills will be a terrific advantage for our company growth in Australia and New Zealand.