Nutanix has bolstered its burgeoning partner offerings in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) by promoting the executive who helped shape its partner ecosystem in the region.

Sven Schoenaerts, a storied exec in the partner space, was elevated to vice president (VP) for channel and technology alliances in EMEA. He joined Nutanix in 2022, working across its partner ecosystem and channel business.

He counts prior roles at brands including NetApp, where he served as managing director for the Benelux area, and sales director for data governance software firm Varonis.

In his new Nutanix role, Schoenaerts will oversee the VMware rival’s channel and technology strategy across the region, helping customers through technical expertise and resources.

“As customers look at how they modernize their infrastructure and bring AI into their businesses, our channel and technology partners have an increasingly important role to play,” said Sammy Zoghlami, SVP for EMEA at Nutanix. “[Schoenaerts] has helped us build a channel organization that works closely with partners to identify new business opportunities and deliver the technology and expertise customers need. I'm delighted to see him take on this expanded role as we continue to invest in our partner ecosystem.”

Schoenaerts’ elevation comes as Nutanix is expanding its partner efforts, having recently revamped its program to include system integrators for the first time. The vendor’s Elevate Partner Program is set for a revamp in 2027, having previously promised a summertime launch earlier in the year.

“Customers are looking for more flexibility in how they run their IT environments, and they are relying on partners to help them understand their options and make the right decisions, Schoenaerts said. “I want to make sure we continue to give our partners the support, expertise and opportunities they need to grow their businesses with Nutanix. We have built some very strong relationships across EMEA, and I'm looking forward to building on those as we take the next steps together.”