Cisco appoints new Vice President for Africa

One of the world’s leading information technology companies has announced a new head for its African operations as well as two further senior appointments.

Leading global IT company, Cisco, has announced the appointment of David Meads to the role of  Vice President (VP) for Africa, responsible for the sales operations and go-to-market model across the continent.

Meads’ promotion follows a one-year tenure as Managing Director, Africa Emerging Theatre at Cisco, as well as more than two and a half years as Managing Director for Cisco in South Africa.

With some 29 years of experience in the IT industry under his belt, Meads has successfully established and grown large sales operations through his determination to drive change and by leading dynamic teams, both at Cisco and Siemens.

Meads will now focus on how information technology can help to increase the productivity and competitiveness of organisations and nations, to ultimately support Governments’ country transformation agendas.

He said: “My key objective is to drive Cisco’s strategy to support African country innovation, prosperity, sustainability, and social inclusion through the build out of life-changing networks.

“Ultimately, Cisco wants to enable customers, nations and organisations in Africa to be more productive and competitive, through the adoption and use of technology.”

Meads has travelled extensively throughout Africa, re-establishing and strengthening the foundations of Cisco’s growth.

He has already successfully represented Cisco at a number of high profile external events including the most recent WEF Africa 2013, The Economist Nigeria Summit, AfricaCom and Cisco Expo 2013 South Africa, ensuring that Cisco builds strong relationships with strategic Government and business leaders.

The company has also announced that Sabrina Dar becomes General Manager, Sales for East Africa (including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia) and Dare Ogunlade becomes General Manager, Sales for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Dar will report directly to Meads. With more than 10 years’ experience in finance, strategy, marketing and sales with Cisco, she has worked in Cisco’s Emerging Theatre Partner Organisation, driving partner preference programmes, and was also the marketing lead for Cisco’s London 2012 Olympics sponsorship.

She has also held the role of UK and Ireland Enterprise and Commercial Market Manager and helped to develop the business case for, and deliver, a new partner go-to-market.

Dar’s tenacity, commitment and positive impact on the Cisco business was recognised externally in May 2011, as Asian Women of the Year Achievement Award Business Leader within the UK. For her new role, she will be relocating to Nairobi, where she has extended family and will reconnect with her Kenyan roots.

Dare Ogunlade, the newly appointed General Manager for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, will also report directly to Meads.

Dare, based in Lagos, joined Cisco Nigeria in October 2006 as an Account Manager for Service Provider, moving on to become MTN Strategic Account leader for Nigeria and Ghana in 2011. He is vastly experienced in structuring complex deals and therefore brings the wealth of knowledge and expertise required to accelerate the growth in the Nigeria region.

Meads added: “I am confident that with our new leadership in East and West Africa we will be able to make a significant contribution to the continent of Africa – with broadband as a platform for socio and economic transformation, harnessing the network to improve lives, empower citizens and make businesses more competitive.”

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