Security vendor, Clearswift, has appointed Melissa Dean to a newly created channel manager's position. The decision comes on the back of its split from distributor, itX, earlier this year.

The vendor has also hired Miles Carrick to Dean's previous role in sales support and brought Jason Terrazzolo onto its support desk.

Clearswift Asia-Pacific managing director, Peter Croft, said Dean's appointment was a necessary one following Clearswift's decision to cut its distribution tier..

"We won't be looking for another distributor. A distribution model wasn't right for us - if itX had done a poor job we might have considered looking for a replacement, but they hadn't," Croft said.

Dean's role involves communication and support of Clearswift partners, as well as overseeing incentive programs and improving the efficiency of the vendor's channel.

Croft said the vendor was currently looking to add premium partners in WA and Adelaide as well as recruit more associate resellers.

Clearswift was also looking at recruiting more staff and would make a pre-sales appointment shortly, he said.

Additional employees would be brought on as the vendor's Asian presence continues to expand, Croft said.