GCX Managed Services (GCX) has appointed Luca Simonelli as its new SVP for channel and global alliances.

Simonelli joins the firm from Cato Networks, where he served as vice president for EMEA. He’s also previously served at Cisco, joining via its $635 million OpenDNS acquisition.

In his role at GCX, Simonelli will spearhead the expansion of the firm’s global partner ecosystem, working with technology vendors, telecom operators, and service providers that leverage its connectivity and managed services.

He will also lead GCX’s operations in Italy, overseeing commercial activities and local teams.

Lorenzo Romano, CEO of GCX, commented: “Simonelli brings not only deep technical expertise but also a passion for building strong partnerships and high-performing teams."

“His leadership comes at a pivotal moment for our business, as we deepen our channel focus, accelerate our growth, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in managed services.”

GCX, which operates alongside its sister subsea and data center division, the recently rebranded FLAG, provides networking solutions tailored for markets such as hospitality, retail, and manufacturing.

The firm claims to have a delivery capacity spanning more than 100 countries, with offerings including secure access service edge (SASE) and managed SD-WAN.

Simonelli said of his new employers: “GCX’s blend of product innovation and strategic vision makes the company a standout force in the evolving managed networking and security landscape.

"Joining at such a transformative time, I’m focused on collaborating with our global partners to deliver real progress in secure networking for our customers.”