Security specialist distributor, AVG, has expanded its channel team in response to rapid growth in resellers.

The distributor has recruited Michael Chapman as a reseller account manager, promoted Tim Dawson to a newly created role as business innovation manager, and promoted James Caldwell to Dawson's previous role as channel manager.

AVG marketing manager, Lloyd Borrett, said the changes were in response to a growing push into the SMB sector.

"We've gone from 1200 to 1600 resellers in the last six months. We're in the process of hunting for a few more recruits too, and looking at bringing on one or two more people over the next six months," he said.

Borrett said AVG will also review the regional channel program in the near future.

"It's possible that the model needs to be different from the international model. Some changes might need to be made," he said.

Borrett cited the recent release of AVG version 8.0 as one reason for the spike in interest from SMB and home office customers.

"We are also seeing users upgrading to a higher level of protection now, as they start to realise that security is a big issue and a basic level of protection isn't as great as it used to be," he said.