New F-Secure UK head sets sights on security goliaths

F-Secure, a leading provider of anti-virus and security software, has appointed Richard Hales (pictured right) as UK and Ireland country manager to grow market share in the region.

In his new role based at the UK head office in High Wycombe, Hales, 38, will manage F-Secures UK and Ireland 15-strong team with direct responsibility for growing sales.

Drawing on his extensive channel experience, Hales also plans to reinvigorate the channel programme to offer increased support for resellers. Implementation of recently released partner accreditation along with a planned increase in channel support form the basis of a pledge to customers to provide unrivalled quality of service that will directly challenge what is currently being offered by other anti-virus (AV) vendors.

Hales joins from Computer 2000, the UKs largest IT distributor, where he worked for five years in a number of sales and development positions. Most recently he managed the software division at Computer 2000 where sales for 2004 reached in excess of 135 million, an all time high for the company.

F-Secure is a company renowned for its excellent products, people and customer service, said Hales. Its agility and innovation were the reasons that drew me to the company. Although not the biggest AV player in all sectors of the UK market, F-Secure leads in some exciting areas like mobile; what F-Secure can offer in terms of industry insight and quality of service is unrivalled. Im joining at an exciting time in F-Secures history, where it is in a prime position to usurp the lumbering goliaths in the market.

Commenting on the appointment, Pekka Kuusela, executive vice-president, sales and marketing at F-Secure said: Richards knowledge of the market, coupled with his sales prowess and business acumen make him an excellent candidate to drive our growth in the UK. He has an impeccable track record, which I know will take F-Secure from strength to strength.

Hales is also non-executive director at The Federation Against Software Theft, a not for profit industry organisation established to work against software theft. His appointment came in 2004 when he was asked to represent supply chain views. He voluntarily offers the benefit of his experience.

Hales replaces Matthew Piercy who left F-Secure earlier this month to pursue other business interests at VM-Ware.