Google Cloud is working to step up its game to become a cloud heavy hitter like Amazon or Microsoft, and the first thing it needs to do is make a play at snagging more enterprise customers.
That's a major theme of what Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian has spoken about since he took on the role in January, and now Google Cloud is making a new hire to bolster that. On Wednesday, Google Cloud announced former SAP executive Robert Enslin as its new president of Global Customer Operations. Enslin starts on April 22.
"Rob's expertise in building and running organizations globally, business acumen and deep customer and partner relationships make him a perfect fit for this crucial role," Kurian said in a blog post.
Kurian also said that Enslin brings "great international experience," as Enslin has worked in South Africa, Europe, and Asia.
"This global perspective will be invaluable as we expand Google Cloud into established industries and growth markets around the world," Kurian said in a blog post.
Previously, Kurian has said that he plans to expand the sales team, streamline its partnership program, and target specific verticals like retail in order to glean more enterprise customers.
A long career at SAP
Enslin spent nearly three decades at SAP, starting in 1992 as a consultant in South Africa and taking on various roles such as CEO of SAP Japan, president of global customer operations, and most recently, executive board member and president of Cloud Business Group.
As SAP's president of Cloud Business Group, he built out and managed SAP's cloud product portfolio, including the recently closed acquisition of Qualtrics.
"There's no scandal. No malice. No hard feelings. No drama. The story is quite simple: I've immensely enjoyed an illustrious career at the world's greatest enterprise applications company," Enslin wrote in a LinkedIn post. "And, I also have a few more aspirations to fulfill before I eventually retire into the sunset with my beautiful wife."
Paul-Henri Ferrand, the previous president of Google Cloud Global Customer Operations who served for nearly two years, is taking on another, unspecified role at Google.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul-Henri for all his leadership, and his team for building our organization and making Google Cloud one of the top 3 cloud service providers, according to many analyst firms," Kurian said in a blog post.
