Wavelink looks to drive Fortinet business with new appointments

Wavelink is ramping up its focus on Fortinet, appointing two new staff to help expand the distributor's Fortinet security business and its Australian channel.

Hugo Hutchinson (pictured) is taking on the role of national business development manager, Fortinet, charged with expanding the Fortinet channel, while Manuja Wijesekera will be presales solution architect, Fortinet.

Ilan Rubin, Wavelink managing director, says while the distributor has been distributing Fortinet for several years, the surge in cyber threats offers significant potential to expand its Fortinet security practice.

"The investment in Hugo and Manuja demonstrates our commitment to providing dedicated security resources to support our resellers in selling Fortinet solutions," Rubin says.

Wavelink says the new appointments will help it build upon its existing strong Fortinet wireless business.

Hutchinson, who takes on the new role after nearly three years as Ingram Micro New Zealand's national business development manager for Fortinet, will be assisting channel partners to identify opportunities in key target verticals, including health and education, through providing sizing and scoping.

He will also provide Fortinet business updates and upskilling for sales teams.

Prior to his Fortinet role with Ingram Micro New Zealand, Hutchinson had stints as national retail account manager with Altech Computers and internal account manager at Ingram Micro NZ for Spark Digital.

Meanwhile, Wijesekera will provide pre-sales assistance including proof of concept implementation, partner technical training and cyber threat assessments.

He previously worked as security and network lead at Melbourne Cricket Club and prior to that was network administrator for Arlec Australia.