Novell's UK channel left stunned following McKenzie resignation

Novell’s UK channel was left reeling following the unexpected resignation of its UK channel manager Julie McKenzie last week.

The vendor told CRN that McKenzie had been in the position for about three years and claimed her decision to resign was based purely on “individual reasons”.

Chris Papayianni, area general manager of the western region at Novell, told CRN: “Julia is leaving to take on a new role at a different organisation.

“We have already narrowed her replacement down to a number of final candidates. We expect to appoint a new [UK channel manager] by the middle of August.”

Scott Fletcher, chairman of Novell reseller ANS, told CRN that the UK channel manager role at Novell is big and carries a great deal of responsibility.

“Those high up in Novell’s channel are leaving too often,” he said. “If Novell does not fix this, it runs the risk of damaging its channel, especially its smaller partners.”

In May last year, Thomas Francese took over the role of EMEA president after Richard Seibt left the vendor (CRN, 10 October).

Last year, rumours also circulated in the channel that Novell was formalising plans for European staff cut-backs from its non-SuSE divisions (CRN, 20 June 2005).

Steve Derbyshire, managing director of Novell VAR Telamon, told CRN: “The effect of [McKenzie] leaving will depend on her replacement.”

Mike Lawrence, managing director of Novell VAR Bentpenny, said: “This is a bit unexpected and quite concerning for us. This will prove the biggest problem for partners being sold to directly and creates a great deal of uncertainty.”

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