Convergence Partners welcomes Derek Wilcocks as CEO Dimension Data Middle East Africa, Saki Missaikos as MD Internet Solutions
Convergence Partners welcomes Derek Wilcocks as CEO Dimension Data Middle East Africa, Saki Missaikos as MD Internet Solutions
Allan Cawood, CEO of Dimension Data Middle East & Africa (MEA) has stepped down after serving the company since 2001 to pursue other personal and professional interests. Derek Wilcocks, Managing Director of Dimension Data’s wholly-owned Internet Solutions business, has been appointed to succeed Cawood as CEO with immediate effect. Saki Missaikos, currently Sales Director for Dimension Data MEA since 2003, will take over the reins as Managing Director of Internet Solutions in Derek’s stead.
Convergence Partners wishes to take this opportunity to wish Allan well in his future endeavours and to thank and congratulate him on his solid stewardship of the business. During Allan’s tenure as CEO the business achieved three-fold revenue growth and doubled profits.
We also take this opportunity to welcome both Derek and Saki to their new roles. Convergence Partners has had the opportunity to interact extensively with Derek and Saki in their roles as senior executives of the Dimension Data Group over many years and look forward to engaging with them in their new positions going forward.
Derek Wilcocks is no stranger to Dimension Data. He joined the Group as founding Managing Director of Internet Solutions subsidiary, Trusted Network Solutions, in 1995. He has been the Managing Director of Internet Solutions since October 2009. Prior to this role, he has held a number of executive positions during his 14 years with Dimension Data MEA, including running strategy and technology for Dimension Data.
During his seven years at Internet Solutions, Saki Missaikos held management positions in both sales and business development, as well as starting up a number of new business units and developing new products and solutions. He moved from Internet Solutions to Dimension Data in 2003 to head up sales and subsequently took on responsibility for sales across the various Dimension Data brands.
Convergence Partners Chairman, Andile Ngcaba, was quoted in the Dimension Data press release in his capacity as Dimension Data MEA Chairman, as saying: “In line with Dimension Data’s long standing commitment to promote from within, the board and my executive team have unanimously concluded that Derek Wilcocks, currently Managing Director of Internet Solutions, is the candidate to succeed Allan as CEO of Dimension Data MEA. Derek is highly regarded in the industry and brings with him an outstanding track record with Dimension Data into his new role. In addition, Saki Missaikos boasts a long history with Internet Solutions, having originally joined the company in 1995.”