Hitesh Joshi Appointed as Director – Channels and Alliances, India & SAARC at NetApp
NetApp, a global leader in cloud-led, data-centric software, has announced the appointment of Hitesh Joshi as Director – Channels and Alliances for India and SAARC. With over 28 years of leadership experience in partner ecosystem development, channel strategy, and strategic alliances, Hitesh brings an exceptional record of driving growth, enabling partners, and delivering business transformation for some of the world’s most trusted technology organizations.
This appointment marks not just a new chapter for NetApp, but also a strategic leap forward in advancing the company’s partner-first vision in one of the world’s most dynamic technology markets.
A Career Defined by Channel Excellence
Hitesh Joshi’s career journey is a testament to his ability to build partnerships that create long-term value. Beginning his professional journey with Onward Novell Software in , he spent more than a decade as Education Manager – Indian Subcontinent before moving into broader leadership roles. He became Regional Manager at Novell, where he developed deep expertise in partner enablement, channel training, and regional growth strategies.
In 2007, Hitesh joined IBM as Brand Channel Manager, where he was responsible for strengthening IBM’s brand presence and partner ecosystem in India. His tenure at IBM honed his skills in brand-aligned channel growth and gave him exposure to enterprise-scale technology transformation.
Hitesh’s first stint with NetApp was a defining phase in his career. Over seven years, he rose through roles such as Channel Development Manager, Manager – Distribution & Managed Partners, and Manager – Strategic Partners, leading NetApp’s partner strategies across India and South Asia. His contributions were instrumental in expanding NetApp’s partner ecosystem and building deeper alliances that supported customers’ evolving IT journeys.
Following this, he joined Veeam Software as Manager – Channels, Alliances and Distribution (India & SAARC), where he played a critical role in scaling Veeam’s data management and backup solutions in the region, expanding its footprint among enterprises and service providers.
In Hitesh moved to Nutanix, where he spent more than five years in multiple leadership roles. As Head – OEM Sales (India & SAARC), he developed strong collaborations with OEMs and partner organizations, strengthening Nutanix’s market leadership in hyper-converged infrastructure. Later, as Head of Channels – Growth Partners, he worked closely with emerging and growth partners to expand Nutanix’s reach, delivering partner-led business expansion and creating sustainable growth ecosystems.
Returning to NetApp: A Strategic Move
In November 2024, Hitesh returned to NetApp, taking on the role of Director – Channels and Alliances, India & SAARC. His return comes at a critical juncture, as enterprises in the region are accelerating their shift toward cloud, AI-driven data management, and digital transformation.
In this capacity, Hitesh will focus on:
- Strengthening partner ecosystems across India and SAARC.
- Driving channel profitability and growth by aligning strategies with evolving customer needs.
- Enabling partners with cloud, AI, and data-driven solutions to help enterprises modernize IT operations.
- Building long-term strategic alliances that create value for both partners and customers.
His vast experience in partner management and his ability to integrate strategy with execution uniquely position him to elevate NetApp’s market leadership in this region.
A Leader Who Inspires
What sets Hitesh apart is not just his technical and strategic expertise, but his leadership philosophy. He believes in collaboration, empowerment, and enabling growth through trust-based partnerships. Throughout his career, he has been known for mentoring teams, nurturing partner success, and ensuring that channel ecosystems thrive as integral parts of the larger business strategy.
His return to NetApp is seen by many industry peers as a strategic advantage for the company, given his deep institutional knowledge of the organization and his unmatched understanding of the partner landscape in India and South Asia.
Looking Ahead
As NetApp continues to transform into a cloud-first, data-centric enterprise solutions leader, the role of channels and alliances becomes more crucial than ever. With Hitesh Joshi at the helm, NetApp is poised to strengthen its partner-first approach, unlock new revenue streams, and empower enterprises across the region with cutting-edge data solutions.
Hitesh Joshi’s appointment underscores a simple but powerful truth: partnerships are the foundation of progress, and with visionary leaders like him, the future of technology alliances in India and SAARC has never looked brighter.
At CXO Gateway, we take pride in spotlighting leaders like Hitesh Joshi, who are shaping the future of technology through vision, resilience, and transformative partnerships. His journey reflects the power of collaboration and innovation in driving business success. As he takes on his new role at NetApp, we celebrate his commitment to empowering partners, enabling growth, and redefining the future of the channel ecosystem across India and SAARC.