IBM ups local channel focus with new appointment

IBM has appointed a new channel boss for Australia and New Zealand, with SAP's Rhody Burton taking on the role.

Burton will be responsible for leading IBM's channel strategy and its 'transformation' to a 'one channel team' in her role as director of global business partners for IBM Australia and New Zealand.

IBM's one channel team is a new go to market model designed to bring 'simplicity' to the channel and help partners more effectively leverage IBM's cloud, analytics, mobile, social and security solutions, the company says.

Burton's appointment fills the void left by the departure of Phil Cameron and Leo Lynch at the start of this year.

She will report directly to IBM Australia and New Zealand managing director, Kerry Purcell.

Burton was previously SAP's sales director for channels across Australia and New Zealand and has also worked at VMware ANZ in a variety of channel-facing roles.

IBM says in her previous role with SAP, Burton 'successfully restructured' the organisation and drove 'greater customer awareness and preference'.

Purcell says hiring someone with Burton's track record and experience will help the vendor strengthen its channel relationships and deliver a clear 'one IBM' portfolio of business solutions to partners.