Cisco rejigged the leadership of its Middle East, Africa, Turkey, Romania, and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) team, appointing Shane Heraty as its new managing director.
Heraty, a Cisco veteran of more than two decades, was elevated to the position following the departure of David Meads, who is retiring.
Gordon Thomson, president of Cisco’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, broke the news on LinkedIn, with Heraty having previously served as managing director for Scotland, Ireland, and Commercial U.K.
“Anyone who has met or worked alongside [Heraty] will know the experience, energy, and passion he brings to everything he does,” Thomson wrote. “I’ve seen for myself the way he understands the unique spirit of our teams in the region, and how focused he is on what’s next for our customers, partners, and employees to grow and succeed together.”
Heraty joined Cisco all the way back in 2005 from Siemens, where he served as a manager for indirect sales.
In his two decades at the networking giant, Heraty would go on to hold a series of regional leadership roles, including country manager and later country director for Cisco Qatar.
Heraty moved to Ireland in late 2020 to take on regional roles covering Scotland and Ireland, later taking on a board member position at Acacia Communications in 2022 in addition to his roles following the firm’s ~$2.6 billion acquisition.
Commenting on his appointment, Heraty said: “This region is a powerhouse of ambition and innovation, and Cisco is uniquely positioned to help unlock its full potential. From AI infrastructure to digital transformation and inclusion – the work we do here is about more than just technology; it’s about making a real-world difference.”
Hearty’s elevation comes as Meads calls time on his two decades at the firm. Having joined Cisco back in 2006, the exec was previously a sales director at Affiniti.
Across his time at Cisco, he, like Heraty, would serve a plethora of regional leadership roles, including VP of Africa and chief executive of the U.K. and Ireland, among others.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work with brilliant minds who have challenged me, supported me, and become dear friends. For that, I am truly grateful,” Meads said of his departure. “[Heraty] brings a wealth of experience to the position, with an extensive 30-year background in global and regional technology, including more than 20 years at Cisco. He has a distinguished track record of driving growth, operational excellence, and customer success across diverse markets.”
