Cisco appoints new MD for MEA global service provider sales

Cisco has appointed Ali Amer as the managing director for global service provider sales in the Middle East and Africa.

Besides driving the segment’s sales strategy and growth across the region, he will also focus on streamlining business operations, including sales and channel strategy, business development and customer support, in his new role.

Having joined Cisco in 2013, Amer was most recently serving as managing director for Cisco’s Service Provider segment in the Middle East and Turkey. He brings to the role over 25 years of industry experience and was previously the senior telecom and IT consultant in the same unit. Prior to Cisco, Amer spent 15 years at Motorola Networks rising to the position of vice president and general manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“I am excited to take on this expanded role within our Service Provider business as Cisco continues to push the envelope with solutions, technologies and a vision that drives exponential value and success for our customers and partners,” said Ali Amer, managing director, Global Service Provider Sales, Cisco Middle East and Africa. “With its significant growth potential, a rapidly expanding population, and increasing smartphone penetration, the telecommunications market in the Middle East and Africa is at an important junction. Cisco’s technology capabilities and strong partnerships will play a pivotal role in enabling SPs to become truly intelligent network operators that are able unlock opportunities, enhance business agility, and drive service innovation and customer-experience enhancement.”

Amer will report to Peter Karlstromer, senior vice president for Global Service Provider Sales, Cisco EMEAR. He will work closely with the regions’ mobile operators to develop their digital transformation roadmaps as they evolve their business and revenue models to meet the growing demand for data services and financial and commercial services.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce Amer as the new leader for our Service Provider business in the Middle East and Africa,” said Karlstromer. “He is a highly-regarded leader known for his close working relationships and deep understanding of the telecoms industry landscape. His expertise and ability to build high performance teams will undoubtedly accelerate our momentum in delivering the digital ecosystem and network infrastructure that our customers need to capture rising opportunities.”