Anthony Lye SVP Cloud Business Unit, NetApp

NetApp, Inc. announced the appointment of Anthony Lye as SVP, cloud business unit.

 
Cloud computing represents a significant opportunity for NetApp as enterprises embrace private, hybrid and hyperscale delivery options to improve agility, insight and innovation.

Lye, who reports to NetApp CEO George Kurian, drives the strategy and execution necessary to create a profitable cloud business for NetApp and establish the company as the undisputed leader in managing data in a cloud-integrated world.

“Our ability to help customers seamlessly manage their data as they adopt the cloud is a clear differentiator for NetApp and a critical component of executing our Data Fabric vision,” said Kurian. “I am pleased to welcome a leader of Anthony Lye’s caliber to quicken the pace of our cloud innovation and strengthen our partner ecosystem. Our collaboration with the major hyperscalers in particular is a cornerstone of how we are effectively repositioning ourselves in the eyes of our customers and shaping the next era of computing.”

Lye brings more than 25 years of diverse leadership experience to NetApp, spanning roles in development, product management, marketing, sales, and as a high-tech CEO. He has focused primarily on cloud innovation for the past 15 years, most recently as the EVP and chief cloud officer at Guidewire Software, where he led the insurance software company’s transition from on-premises to cloud solutions.

“I’m joining NetApp at a time of tremendous opportunity, as this is a company whose position in the hybrid cloud is both innovative and market leading,” said Lye. “Our cloud data management expertise is attracting new customers, we offer the broadest portfolio of cloud-enabled data services and solutions, and our partner ecosystem is the best in the industry. Our deep integration with leading hyperscalers, SaaS and regional service providers is a strong asset, enabling organizations to pursue new business models made possible by cloud economics and agility.”

Throughout his 27-year career, Lye has held a diverse range of senior leadership roles at companies ranging from 10-person firms to large multi-nationals. He has managed all aspects of business operations, including responsibility for P&L, development and product management, direct and partner sales leadership, with hands-on experience building applications and working with developers skilled in AWS, Azure and force.com. His background includes leading teams in both North America and Europe, with extensive international travel to Asia and South America.

Prior to his role Guidewire Software, he served as president & CEO for HotSchedules, a vertical cloud company building applications for the restaurant, retail and hospitality industries. He was previously the global president of digital platforms, CRM and channels at Publicis, the world’s largest digital agency. He was also senior VP and GM of Oracle‘s CRM and customer experience, and earlier in his career, held senior leadership positions at Siebel Systems and Remedy Corporation.

Lye earned a bachelor’s degree in Engineering with honors from the University of Bath in Bath, UK. He serves on the board of Spoken Communications and is an investor in both start-ups and venture funds.