Cisco's Fowler leaves for Europe

Cisco Australia vice president Ross Fowler will move to the company's European operations as part of local management changes at the networking giant.

Cisco has promoted Fowler (pic) to oversee the vendor's telecommunications business in Europe. Based in London, Fowler's role as vice president for service providers, European Markets, will see him responsible for Cisco's relations with all telco operators. Taking up the position of Australia and New Zealand managing director is Les Williamson, the current client director for Cisco's Telstra business.

During his tenure in Australia, Fowler has cemented the company as a key supplier in Telstra's IT transformation strategy. Cisco is one of a few select networking vendors used in the carrier's new AU$1.5 billion Internet Protocol-based (IP) network core.

Fowler also presided over Cisco winning the deal to supply all the network infrastructure for Optus' new campus in Sydney.

"Since joining Cisco in 2003, Ross Fowler has done an outstanding job in leading the growth and development of our Australia/New Zealand business and I would like to wish him every success in his new role with Cisco in Europe," said Cisco senior vice president, Asia Pacific operations, Owen Chan.

Williamson has held a number of positions since joining the company in 1999.

Cisco said the appointments would take effect from the end of July.