AFRICA
REGIONAL CHANNELS
AFRICA
Westcon-Comstor is a global technology provider and specialist distributor , operating in more than 70 countries . It delivers business value and opportunity by connecting the world ’ s leading IT vendors with a channel of technology resellers , systems integrators and service providers . It combines industry insight , technical know-how and more than 30 years of distribution experience to deliver value and accelerate vendor and partner business success . The value-added distributor ( VAD ) recently extended the region it covers to streamline operations and improve efficiencies with a new structure and leadership .
WESTCON-COMSTOR COMBINES MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA REGIONS UNDER LEADERSHIP OF RAKESH PARBHOO
Rakesh Parbhoo , Senior Vice President and Group CTO , Westcon-Conmstor MEA
Westcon-Comstor , a leading global distributor , has announced the company will be combining its Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa ( MEA ) operations as part of a group-wide strategy to improve efficiency , drive profitability , and streamline engagement with partners and vendors . Effective March 1st 2022 , the new structure will be headed by Rakesh Parbhoo , who has been appointed Senior Vice President whilst maintaining his role as Group CTO .
“ The combined operations will represent nearly 14 % of group revenue and boasts close to 500 staff members , making
Westcon-Comstor one of the most formidable distributors in this market ,” said David Grant , CEO , Westcon-Comstor . “ The expanded operation headed by Rakesh provides the perfect platform for us to scale our services while giving partners and vendors with multiple geographies a seamless experience , no matter where their customers are .”
The company has made further strategic appointments to support the new combined entity . Steve Lockie , Group Managing Director for the Middle East , is joined by his recently appointed counterparts Louise Taute , Managing Director for Southern Africa and Vincent Entonu , Managing Director for Rest of Africa , all reporting directly to Parbhoo . The new structure will allow Lockie to focus on the opportunities presented by the company ’ s recent expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt .
Elmien du Toit , current COOfor Sub- Saharan Africa , has been with the group since 2006 takes on the role of COO for MEA . Forming part of Parbhoo ’ s executive leadership team , du Toit will be responsible for supply chain and sales operations , including oversight of back-office business functions aligning these to company-wide global best practices while ensuring their local relevance .
Another strategic appointment is that of Catherine Mwololo who will take the role of chief financial officer ( CFO ) for MEA . As a member of the regional executive team , Mwololo , the current CFO for Sub-Saharan Africa , will consolidate her responsibilities for finance across the entire MEA region .
“ I am excited about what we are building in the MEA region . By combining operations , we are creating an entity that has cross border reach while providing our teams room to grow . My new executive team know this industry , understand the region , have extensive knowledge of distribution , and most importantly they are entrenched in the Westcon-Comstor DNA . Looking ahead , we want to take our unique brand of digital distribution to every corner of MEA , expand our business , and show our partners and vendors that we will always ensure a local focus while delivering global best practices ,” said Parbhoo . •
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