Microsoft Partner and General Manager Simon Negus Takes Charge of Operations at Upstream Mobile Marketing

LONDON, 20 July 2011 – Upstream, the global mobile marketing technology and solutions provider, has brought in former Microsoft Partner and General Manager, Simon Negus, as Chief Operating Officer (COO), as it looks to continue its rapid growth in the buoyant mobile marketing space.

Negus joins Upstream from Microsoft where as a Microsoft Partner and UK Board member he led amongst other responsibilities, the turnaround of the UK Enterprise and Partner Group (EPG) operation, posting across the board improvements in the internal and external operating metrics of that business.

During Negus’ time at Microsoft, the UK subsidiary experienced exceptional success reflected in it being awarded and recognised as Microsoft ‘Subsidiary of the Year’ in 2010, in spite of the uncertainty of the global downturn. Negus also oversaw a number of key successful strategic initiatives including two designed to improve the strength and depth of Microsoft’s Strategic Partnering and Global Customer Programmes.

Additionally Negus led the overhaul, through executive sponsorship, of the award-winning ‘Mach’ programme – the accelerated college-hire programme to attract University and College interns and graduates to Microsoft. He was also an active supporter of the Microsoft child Internet safety programmes designed to increase awareness amongst those responsible for and those of school age on all matters relating to Internet and social networking safety.

Prior to Microsoft, Negus spent 11 years at Dell, where he held a series of senior positions both in the UK and abroad – latterly serving as EMEA Vice-President for Enterprise Products and Services, serving on the EMEA Operating Board. In parallel he also was responsible for UK operations as Director and General Manager.

At Dell, Negus was instrumental in growing the business, developing new organisational structures and developing new business models including the creation and development of a services business to support the traditional hardware business, including integrating key acquisitions into the business e.g. Equalogic Storage. Dell grew from $7.7bn to $61.1bn in market capitalisation during the 11 years Negus was at the company.