Cisco, a global technology business, has named David Meads as vice president for the Middle East, Africa, Romania, and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

He succeeds Reem Asaad, who led Cisco's operations in the region for more than four years.

According to the firm, Meads will be in charge of Cisco's strategy and commercial operations, as well as pushing adoption of digital technologies for economic growth and societal good.

He will continue to serve as CEO of Cisco in the UK and Ireland until the end of Cisco's fiscal year (July 2024), according to the business.

According to Cisco, with three decades of experience across multiple business functions and geographies, including the Middle East and Africa, Meads brings deep industry and technology expertise to the role.

Oliver Tuszik, president, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, says Meads is a “leader with a proven track record of driving business growth, developing high-performing teams and spearheading technology initiatives that have a true impact on nations and industries alike”.

Tuszik adds that Meads’ vision “will be instrumental in guiding Cisco's next phase of growth and supporting the region's digital advancement”.

Meads, for his part, states that Cisco has promise in the region and is well-positioned to help accelerate the region's national digital agendas.

Meads joined Cisco in 1996 and has held several leadership positions, including chief executive of Cisco UK and Ireland since 2019.

Prior to that, as VP of Cisco's EMEA Partner Organisation, he spearheaded strategic initiatives to assist in managing and supporting partners who serve as the company's principal route to market.

Meads also spent ten years in the Middle East and Africa, where he led Cisco's operations, and before that in Africa and South Africa.