As reported a few weeks ago, Jeff Barnes is the new head of Novell UK, starting the job on July 6. But where is the European reorganisation that was said to be the reason behind former managing director’s, Tony Scrivens, departure? Both Scrivens and unofficial comment within the company at that stage indicated that Novell was about to re-organise its European operation under single, UK-based management, and faced with this, Scrivens bailed out. Indeed Barnes’ new title is ‘managing director and director of North West Europe’, which hints at an expansion of the post. But ask the company how Barnes’ job will differ from the old one and it replies that they are exactly the same. Barnes has responsibility for the UK, Ireland, Scandanavia, Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and English-speaking Africa – just as Scrivens was. The job title, says Greg Fallon, Novell’s international vice-president, does not reflect future changes. As for the rumoured European re-organisation, Fallon says that he does not comment on speculation. He also professes a dislike for European umbrella organisations which, he says can simply add a layer of administration and little else. Scrivens, meanwhile, has found himself a new home in Oracle UK where he is charged with helping the database company’s various sales channels to get to grips with the vagaries of small systems and networks.
