Kaspersky Labs, a leading data security software developer has appointed Simone Cools as International Sales Director.
Kaspersky Lab, a leading data security software developer has appointed Simone Cools as International Sales Director. Ms. Cools will be responsible for developing and implementing the Kaspersky Lab sales strategy in the global IT market.
Simone Cools has over 20 years of experience in international IT sales. She is a specialist in business development and both channel and corporate sales in competitive markets. Ms.Cools worked for 13 years at Intel where, until 1989, she was European Major Accounts Manager responsible for driving and coordinating all sales and marketing with the U.S. multinational accounts across Europe.
In 1989, Simone successfully spearheaded Intel's business development in the emerging IT markets of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. In 1993, Simone left Intel to start her own consulting services for business development in Russian and the CIS. Her clients included companies such as Maxtor, Seagate and Ingram Micro. She worked for 5 years with 3Com, a leading data networking vendor. Simone developed the sales channel strategy for the company, established client relations with key players and ran the 3Com Moscow office for 18 months until 3Com was registered and ready to function independently.
Simone is multicultural and multilingual. Of Belgian father and Indian mother, she was brought up in South America and England and studied Russian Literature and Linguistics at Moscow State University - she speaks 5 languages - English, French, Spanish, Italian and Russian.
'I am pleased to have joined Kaspersky Lab in a key role as the company continues to expand worldwide,' commented Simone Cools, 'I am sure that we will achieve significant growth in the global IT market'.
'Recently, we have focused on international sales, mainly in Europe, where Simone has many years of experience. In addition, Simone is not new to Kaspersky Lab, since she has been working with us for the past year and a half as a consultant on business development in Europe. Her current appointment is a logical continuation of our work together', stated Natalya Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab CEO, 'Simone is a valuable addition to Kaspersky Lab, adding intimate knowledge of international sales to our team profile.'
