Exclusive Networks has hired Nigel Gilhespy, previously with Optiv, as global head of professional services and consulting.

Exclusive Networks’ Nigel Gilhespy

Gilhespy will create a “powerhouse” of services that generates value and margin for partners, according to the company. He has more than 30 years of experience in networks, cloud and cybersecurity. That includes nearly 20 years in senior management roles.

He led the creation and development of professional services and consulting organizations across EMEA and globally.

“I’m very pleased to be joining Exclusive Networks and have already seen the diversity and quality of services routinely rolled out by Exclusive for global systems integrators (GSIs) and other partners,” Gilhespy said. “There is certainly scope for strategic services innovation and harmonization on a global basis. It’s a challenge I relish. Close ties with our vendor and reseller partners will be very important to ensuring the relevance and value of our services portfolio in helping partners transition to a services first mindset and business model — and that is true value creation.”

At Optiv, Gilhespy was head of professional, advisory and managed services for EMEA. He held similar positions at Juniper Networks, Palo Alto Networks and Equinix.

“Technology consumption is becoming more output-oriented and critical to the success of technology projects as complexity increases, speed of innovation accelerates and the skills gap widens even further,” said Andy Travers, Exclusive Networks’ executive vice president of sales and marketing. “As a result, the evolution to managed services and an increase in the provision of professional services is key to addressing those trends and filling the gaps. A services-first approach for us and our partners creates more value and is the oxygen for sustainable growth. Nigel has the experience we need to take on this new position, having shown great leadership and innovation in similar roles for hardware and software vendors, as well as service providers and channel organizations.”

Exclusive Networks was one of the first distributors to announce assistance for partners in the United Kingdom because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It launched a partner support package aimed at assisting  efforts to continue business on a sustainable basis.