FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia (FUJIFILM BI Australia) has announced the appointment of Rodney Thorne as the new General Manager, Channels. The appointment will take effect as of 28 November 2023. Thorne is expected to lead the growth of the business through fostering indirect partnerships and building key alliances across the country.
Thorne comes with a sturdy portfolio of more than 20 years of experience in channel leadership and strategy across Australia and the Asia Pacific region. His previous roles include being the Head of Asia Pacific and Japan, Routes to Market – MSSP, Distribution & SMB at Check Point Software Technologies. He also served there as the Country Manager for Australia. Moreover, Thorne has served as Director of Asia Pacific Channels at Cybereason and Director of Channel Sales, ANZ Partner & Alliances at F5 Networks.
Thorne expressed delight at this new opportunity and comments, “I am thrilled to be joining the team at FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia for this exciting new chapter of growth.” He also hinted at the company’s vast potential, asserting that "the potential of what we can offer customers across our services and solutions portfolios in addition to our market-leading device technologies is nothing short of game-changing."
In his brand-new capacity, Thorne has shown commitment to adding value to the small-to-medium sized business markets that remain deeply embedded in the community. He says, "We have a lot of potential to add enormous value across the small-to-medium sized business market. These organisations are deeply embedded in the community as are many of our valued partners."
Thorne's strategy also involves the expansion of efficient strategic partnerships and alliances to provide improved customer experiences. He emphasised the company's strength in its partnerships, stating: "We are well positioned to expand these efficient, strategic partnerships and alliances to provide the best customer experiences through creative new ways of reaching Australian mid-market businesses."
Moreover, Thorne expressed readiness to take on this invigorating challenge, “We know our valued partners are turning every page of this new chapter with us. Enabling their success and the success of their customers is an energising challenge I look forward to taking on with our whole team."
Stephen Sims, Executive General Manager, Sales and Solutions at FUJIFILM BI Australia, expressed enthusiasm for Thorne’s appointment, stating, “Rodney lives and breathes channel business and indirect strategies with a wealth of experience and a great reputation based on delivering channel growth. I look forward to the contribution he will make to the future of our business while building on our long history of success via indirect partnerships.”
He further adds, “Our motto to provide Value from Innovation isn’t just about our market-leading technical achievements, but also speaks to how we find new and improved business models to help customers connect to our digital transformation solutions.”
Sims finished up expressing confidence in Thorne's ability to uphold and proliferate FUJIFILM's long-standing dealer relationships. "We’re incredibly proud to say we have Dealer relationships spanning over forty years and growing. With Rodney at the helm, I have full confidence these tenures will continue to flourish in alignment with our broader aspirations."
As a part of their business model, FUJIFILM BI Australia provides products, solutions, and services via a range of indirect channels, including partnerships with other individuals and entities, agents, authorised dealerships, and resellers, among others.