Colado takes reins of EMEA operations at Novell

Management software vendor Novell has instigated changes at its EMEA executive management level and to its partner organisation.

The firm has revealed that Javier Colado, currently VP and general manager of partners, will be promoted to the post of EMEA president. He will report to Novell president and CEO Ron Hovsepian and takes the place of Volker Smid who has held the post since 2006 and, according to Novell, is leaving to pursue other interests.

Hovsepian explains the president-to-be has a proven track record with the company and has demonstrated clear aptitude for the job. “Javier's leadership in launching Novell's new channel strategy, as well as his strong sales management experience, will serve him well in his new role and enhance the execution of our new partner-centric model in EMEA,” said Hovsepian.

Novell’s new president will assume the role after concluding his current assignment of designing and rolling out the company’s global channel programme. Upon Colado's assumption of the EMEA president role, his previous partner responsibilities will be shouldered by John Dragoon, currently chief marketing officer.

“The work Javier and John have done together on our new partner and marketing programmes will assure their seamless and integrated execution, upon the transition of the partner responsibilities to John," asserted Hovsepian. Colado started working at the software company in 2006 and was most recently appointed general manager of partners, which saw him tasked with driving channel strategy, recruiting new partners, and overseeing internal transformation. Prior to Novell, Colado held senior executive positions at McAfee and Lucent Technologies, both of which saw him intricately involved in partner and channel strategy and sales.