Phil Keeling has stepped down as Fortinet’s UK and Ireland regional director after a little more than a year in the role, and will be joining rival Juniper.

Andre Stewart, Fortinet’s vice president of EMEA, will assume responsibility for UK sales and operational activities until a new appointment is made, the security vendor confirmed in a statement.

“Fortinet confirms that Phil Keeling, Fortinet regional director for UK, Ireland and South Africa, has left the company,” the statement read.

“We believe that this seamless transition will not negatively affect Fortinet’s customers and that the company’s UK sales team will continue to successfully develop and support Fortinet’s growing market share in the UK, Ireland and South Africa.”

After taking the reigns of Fortinet’s UK operation last year, Keeling declared that his top goal was to move the unified threat management vendor into the high-end market (CRN, 10 August, 2006).

It is believe Keeling, who is currently serving out his notice period, will head up Juniper’s major accounts team.

The revelation comes just weeks after two of Fortinet’s three UK distributors – Fresh Egg and VCW – announced their intent to merge (CRN, 16 July). Fortinet also works through Noxs, the security wing of Westcon.

Further reading:

VCW prepares to shell out in Fresh Egg deal

Fortinet draws up list of resellers for high-end offensive