Avast Business Promotes Microsoft, Symantec Vet to Lead Global Channel

Avast has promoted Marc Botham to vice president of worldwide channel and alliances for Avast Business.

Botham joined Avast six months ago as regional director for the U.K. and Ireland. Then he quickly progressed to managing Avast’s network of channel partners across the globe.

Avast Business’ Marc Botham

Botham has more than 20 years of experience. He worked as senior director for EMEA SMB sales at Symantec. He also was senior director of U.K. channels at Microsoft. And he most recently was managing director of U.K. and Ireland at Quest.

Botham will report directly to Anthony O’Mara, Avast Business‘ vice president of sales. Furthermore, he will manage a global team from Avast’s office in London.

“Marc joined us in March and he’s been a great addition to the team,” O’Mara said. “His knowledge of the industry, and experience working with businesses and partners, will be a great asset as we continue to grow and strengthen the Avast Business portfolio.”

In a Q&A with Channel Partners, Botham talks about his new role and what partners can expect in the coming months.

Channel Futures: How is your role changing with Avast?

Marc Botham: My previous role was as country manager for the U.K. and Ireland on the consumer side of the business. As part of Avast‘s ongoing commitment to a channel-first strategy, my new role … was created within the commercial business unit. I am fortunate to have a 20-plus year career history of leading channel organizations and programs with many major software vendors such as Microsoft, BMC and even some of our competition, and am excited to take on this new role.

CF: What is at the top of your to-do list?

MB: My key priority supported by our distribution partners is to focus on a significant partner recruitment drive globally. In order to address our significant growth aspirations in the SMB segment, we need to significantly increase the size of our partner ecosystem to support us in all regions.

I am constantly hearing from partners how they feel disenchanted by our competitors who have become complacent. I assure this is not something we will do at Avast.

We are placing the channel first in all our sales and go-to-market (GTM) sales motions, and working with every partner in a true partnership, to both parties’ commercial benefit. This is best reflected in our channel-first strategy, which this year will include a new channel program providing class-leading channel margins (up to 55%) and supporting partners’ own individual IP development as we build unique joint GTM propositions. This is vital as partners move away from simply reselling solutions to focusing on delivering business outcomes and creating real customer value.

CF: What’s your take on Avast channel strategy? Any changes needed?

MB: If recent events with the pandemic have proved anything, it is the need to constantly adapt so change will always be needed. I think we have been very transparent with our channel-first strategy. We are aiming for a clear and concise program without the usual complex elements found in many traditional programs. In other words, an Avast partner can quickly and easily …