I could never have predicted what lay ahead for me or for a very young Cisco when I joined the company.
Fast-forward 22 years. The network and the internet have transformed the world. Billions of people and things are connected globally, which has resulted in a period of unprecedented opportunity and change. Today is an exciting and pivotal time for both business and society. Digital transformation is dramatically changing how organisations and even countries can reimagine the way they serve customers, employees and society.
In recent years, my work in the UK has developed in a number of parallel, yet interlocking ways.
As Chief Executive of Cisco in the UK and Ireland, I have an active role in the UK innovation, skills and technology community. And through my work with government and industry I have had a unique opportunity to help the UK build on its unmatched ability to innovate, to be inventive and to encourage that passion in the next generation.
I have now reached an important juncture in my career, and so I’m honoured to share that I will be making the transition to the role of Chair of Cisco UK and Ireland on a part-time basis.
The UK and Ireland is tremendously important to Cisco. Together, we have grown the business significantly in my eight years as its leader. I am immensely proud of all of you who have been involved – whether employees, our partners or our customers who have and continue to innovate and lead industry transformation with us.
There has never been a more crucial time for us to realise the potential of UK industry.
We continue to invest in the UK, both in the business and as a nation. In 2015 we announced our commitment to invest $1bn in the UK and a year on, I am thrilled with the progress that we have seen so far.
Needless to say, there is still work to be done. We are at the forefront of the digital transformation, and I am delighted that Scot Gardner will be taking on the leadership of the UK and Ireland for Cisco.
I look forward to working with Scot and I wish him every success in what I truly see as one of the best jobs in the world.
Sincerely, thank you for your support, kindness, consideration and camaraderie over my time in this role. And I very much look forward to continuing to work with you over the next important few years.
Phil
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