IBM Names New Head Of Global Business Partners

IBM veteran Marc Dupaquier has been named as the company's new general manager of Global Business Partners, CRN has learned.

Dupaquier, who has spent 29 years with IBM, replaces former general manager Mark Hennessy. Dupaquier most recently served as vice president of marketing and strategy at IBM's Systems and Technology Group. He also served as general manager of IBM's global midmarket business and head of marketing for IBM Software Group.

Hennessy, who was appointed general manager of Global Business Partners in January of 2012, will take over an as-yet-unannounced role at IBM. Prior to heading up IBM's partner business, Hennessy served as general manager of IBM's Northeast Europe business, in addition to several channel management roles.

[Related: IBM Outlines The Top 4 Channel Opportunities Of 2014 ]

Dupaquier told CRN that he's built strong ties with IBM partners over the years in his past roles at Big Blue and will rely on that experience as head of Global Business Partners. In particular, Dupaquier said he will work on helping partners take advantage of IBM's growing software business, which has seen a number of acquisitions in recent years as well as a shift to the cloud.

"The software business has changed so much," he said. "There's the software license business and now the software service business with the cloud, and I think that gives more opportunities for partners."

PUBLISHED JAN. 3, 2014