Cisco is betting on continuity and experience, with Gordon Thomson taking over as president of the company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region on 28 July 2025. This is a pivotal moment for the company, as the EMEA market is rapidly accelerating its digital transformation, investing more and more heavily in AI, cloud infrastructure and cyber security.
Thomson is a Cisco veteran, having been with the company for 27 years, the majority of his career having just been spent in EMEA. For the last few years, he has been responsible for the Service Provider sector, developing the company’s next-generation network and cloud solution offerings. He will now head up structures spanning 64 countries and more than 15,000 technology partners.
His appointment coincides with the growing demand for technologies that enable data control, optimise operations and use AI to increase productivity. Cisco is responding to this wave of demand by, among other things, investing in infrastructure management platforms, AI model-based solutions and competency support.
– Taking on the role of President of Cisco in EMEA is a great honour for me. I have worked for the company for almost 30 years in many different roles and I am excited about the challenges ahead in my new role. This is a unique moment in Cisco’s history and I look forward to working with the EMEA team to shape the digital future of the region,” said Gordon Thomson.
– Gordon knows Cisco and the needs of our customers very well. His experience in leveraging AI, networking and cyber security solutions across industries and countries is of great value to the company. He is an inspirational leader who has repeatedly led teams to success. I am confident that he will do the same with the EMEA team ” , added Oliver Tuszik, Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Chief Sales Officer at Cisco.
It is worth recalling that the company does not just sell technology – it actively contributes to the innovation ecosystem. Through its Country Digital Acceleration programme, Cisco is involved in more than 1,200 transformation projects in EMEA. In parallel, nearly 9 million people have already been trained through the Networking Academy – a real answer to the skills gap that is affecting more and more companies in the digital age.
The EMEA region is today one of the most diverse and promising fields of operation for global IT giants. On the one hand, we have mature markets – such as Germany, the UK or France – on the other, the rapidly developing countries of Central Europe and Africa. Cisco has the ambition to be an integrator of development in this space – both technologically and educationally.
Thomson has an ambitious task ahead: to maintain the growth momentum and deepen Cisco’s presence in the countries of the region. The new boss will also have to position the company effectively against increasing competition – both from hyperscalers and local IT integrators. But all indications are that he has the facilities to do so.
