Avanade starts new chapter with revamped exec team
The company wants to focus on AI and extend mid-market office
Microsoft solutions provider Avanade has appointed a new executive committee to boost AI-driven growth and expand its mid-market reach.
The VAR also aims to accelerate digital transformation and build more agile and profitable businesses.
The chosen ones
Danielle Brady joins the company as COO after spending 25 years at Accenture, where she held different leadership roles and rose to managing director of global business operations in 2021.
IT vet Ashley Gatehouse is back as CMO after previously assuming the position at QUANTIQ, which was acquired by Avanade in 2021.
He also held various marketing leadership positions at other channel companies such as Crayon and Insight.
He takes over from Ruth Rowan, who will now be operating as chief growth officer.
Rowan already served as CMO for organisations such as NTT, Dimension Data, BT, and as marketing director at Siebel Systems.
Rani Gopalakrishnan becomes Avanade’s global lead of advanced technology centres, the company’s network boasting over 30,000 tech professionals specialising in AI, cloud, and digital transformation.
She also joins from Accenture, where she last served as MD of APAC products & Japan market lead and advanced technology centre, India
She brings over 25 years of experience in IT services.
Finally, Nisha Verma steps up to chief people officer from APAC’s HR lead at Avanade.
She is the third Accenture vet, where she worked at for over 19 years and last held the position of growth markets HR leader.
“I am thrilled to introduce these newly appointed leaders, who will join our existing executive committee, each of whom brings deep expertise from Accenture and Avanade, and a shared commitment to driving innovation and excellence,” said Rodrigo Caserta, CEO of Avanade.
“Their leadership and vision will help us accelerate AI-powered transformation reinforcing our position as the trusted partner for digital reinvention through AI.”
Caserta is a recent leadership hire himself, as he became CEO of Avanade in September 2024 after nine years at the company, taking over from Pamela Maynard.
The VAR also made changes to its EMEA direction in the last few months by naming Paula Panarra GM of UKI.
All appointments are effective immediately.