BlackBerry Taps Ex-SAP Exec to Head Enterprise Services
Mobile device maker BlackBerry (BBRY) named a new head of its Enterprise Services business only one day after three more executives were shown the exit door in the company’s latest management purge.
Mobile device maker BlackBerry (BBRY) named a new head of its Enterprise Services business only one day after three more executives were shown the exit door in the company’s latest management purge.
John Sims, a former SAP mobile top executive, is BlackBerry’s new Global Enterprise Services president, tasked with rapidly growing sales of the vendor’s smartphones and security services to business and government agencies. BlackBerry chief executive John Chen has left no doubt that shoring up the Enterprise business unit tops his to-do list to reverse the company’s sagging profile.
Chen said Sims’ “extensive experience in transforming businesses, redefining brands and motivating teams will be a tremendous asset to BlackBerry as we reshape the company to be more nimble and focused.”
His appointment comes on the heels of yet another round of Chen’s housecleaning with Rick Costanzo, BlackBerry’s Global Sales executive vice president; Chris Wormald, Strategic Alliances vice president; and Mark Cameron, former Global Public Policy director, all exiting the company.
A BlackBerry spokesperson confirmed Costanzo’s and Wormald’s departures, and the company said in a statement that Cameron was leaving in January to join the PR firm Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada.
“The changes we are making demonstrate our commitment to innovating for current customers who count on BlackBerry, and the new users who are just learning how powerful and compelling the BlackBerry 10 platform can be,” said Chen, adding Sims “will be central to all of those efforts.”
Sims is a 20-year veteran of the mobile telecom business, most recently serving a 30-month stint at SAP, rising to Mobile Service president. Prior to SAP, Sims held the chief executive posts at mobile software vendors 724 Solutions and Tantau Software, a company he founded. Sims’ experience also includes a 10-year tenure at Tandem.
The latest executive shakeup is Chen’s second big personnel move since taking BlackBerry’s helm in early November. He recently fired CFO Brian Bidulka, replacing him with James Yersh, and let go COO Kristian Tear and CMO Frank Boulben. In addition, Roger Martin, a six-year board member, resigned.
Chen has pledged to remake the device maker’s management team, bringing in outside talent and elevating current management. Earlier this month, he penned an open letter—his second since taking the helm—this one directed to the mobile maker’s enterprise customers, saying, “Our ‘for sale’ sign has been taken down and we are here to stay.”
