Technology Record - Issue 22: Autumn 2021

42 www. t e c h n o l o g y r e c o r d . c om E X E CUT I V E I NT E R V I EW B uilding on a career withMicrosoft that spans over 20 years, Rodney Clark has recently succeeded Gavriella Schuster in the role of corporate vice president (CVP) of channel sales and channel chief at Microsoft. Despite his short time in the role, Clark has great ambitions for what he will accomplish in the coming years. Tell us a little about your background with Microsoft and how your work to date has prepared you for the challenges that lie ahead. I am thrilled to be taking on this role and it’s been my dream job for quite a while now. I’ve been with Microsoft for 23 years and have held several dif- ferent roles including sales, marketing, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and – for the last six years – building our internet of things (IoT) and mixed reality business. The common thread is that those roles have required close prox- imity to our partner ecosystem and the channel. I’ve been engaged and involved in the partner business for more than 15 years, with some of our largest independent software vendors, original equipment manufacturers and working along- side past and present channel leaders like Nick Parker, Jon Roskill, Allison Watson and Gavriella Schuster, which has given me a front row seat to how we’ve navigated the challenges, opportuni- ties, changes and growth. Beyond that, I believe my experience withmanaging and driving techni- cal businesses like IoT and mixed reality provides a unique perspective as we see customers requir- ing new skills and depths from our ecosystem. My previous roles and tenure at Microsoft have provided me with a deep understanding of our partners and the ecosystem as a whole, and I am deeply invested in putting in the work to continue helping our partners drive growth and success. You assumed the role at an interesting time. Where is Microsoft most able to have a positive impact on new ways of working and delivering services? The distinction here is that while we are on the road to recovery, the way we work, live and do business is forever changed. Organisations and infrastructures have evolved over the past Rodney Clark has stepped into his dream role at Microsoft. He tells us how he got there, his plans for the coming years and how Microsoft and its partners are delivering business and social value Grand plans BY ANDY C L AY TON - SM I TH “I am deeply invested in putting in the work to continue helping our partners drive growth and success”