Sarah Walker will succeed David Meads, with Meads to transition to lead the company’s operations in the Middle East and Africa.
Walker (pictured) has experience across the digital technology and communications industry. She began her career in the mobile telephony space, working her way up the technology stack including a 25-year stint at BT in various senior leadership positions across both the public and private sector.
She joined Cisco two years ago to lead its enterprise business in the UK and Ireland.In her role leading Cisco’s enterprise business, Walker was responsible for the company’s relationships with more than a hundred large, private sector organisations across key sectors for the UK and Ireland. Those customers ranged from transport to pharmaceuticals and financial services.
She is also the executive sponsor of Women of Cisco in the UK and Ireland, non-executive director at Liverpool Women’s Hospital Trust and is the chair of the board of trustees at Greater Manchester Academies Trust.
Walker commented, “I am delighted to be stepping in to this role at such an important juncture for the nation, the technology industry and for our customers. AI is creating even clearer lines between the outcomes that technology can support, the strategic objectives of organisations and the needs of society.
“The way we utilise and build for AI now, will shape the next decade and I truly believe that no one is better placed than Cisco to ensure that we do so securely and responsibly.”
Oliver Tuszik, president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Cisco, added, “Sarah brings not only a proven track record in leveraging technology to solve problems and create value for organisations across the public and private sectors, but also a wealth of energy and innovative thinking.
“I could not be more confident in her ability to lead the Cisco team in the UK and Ireland to create an even greater impact through our solutions, benefiting our customers, partners and the community.”