NetApp is uppping its focus and investment in New Zealand with the appointment of James Kennedy-Moffat as New Zealand country manager.

Kennedy-Moffat, who takes up the new role effective immediately, was previously NetApp's New Zealand sales director, having joined the company in 2008.

His new role sees him responsible for all aspects of NetApp's local sales strategy, driving business growth and strengthening all of its offerings for the local market.

Steve Manely, NetApp ANZ vice president, says since joining NetApp eight years ago, Kennedy-Moffat has been ‘crucial' in driving growth in New Zealand.

“We had our biggest ever currency-adjusted sales year in FY16 despite a time of contrained IT spending and under James' leadership we anticipate this momentum to continue,” Manley says.

The vendor says Kennedy-Moffat's appointment ‘echoes NetApp's increased focus and investment in New Zealand'.

Kennedy-Moffat, meanwhile, says he's excited about the opportunity to continue educating customers – and potential customers – on NetApp's offerings and how they address the challenge the need for business agility and the influence of the cloud are presenting for Kiwi businesses.

“Only NetApp's data fabric approach enables them to move data easily between locations – cloud or on-site – and give flexibility, speed and cost certainty,” he says.

“I'm excited to continue educating existing and new customers on this in New Zealand,” he adds.

Prior to his move to NetApp, Kennedy-Moffat spent five years in a range of sales and sales management roles at Vodafone New Zealand.