Chris Bell joins Sophos as senior VP for Channel Alliances

Sophos has appointed Chris Bell as Senior Vice President of Global Channel Alliances and Corporate Development, reflecting its continued focus on strengthening its channel strategy.

Chris Bell joins Sophos from Secureworks, where he held the position of Chief Strategy Officer. His professional trajectory includes over two decades in the technology sector, with extensive experience in cybersecurity and channel management. Bell's leadership will drive the development and implementation of a channel strategy that seeks to broaden reach, empower partners, and stimulate growth.

Key priorities for Bell at Sophos include enhancing the partner experience to facilitate easier and more efficient business interactions with Sophos, while also streamlining operations. He will also focus on fostering innovation for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) through the use of Sophos' cybersecurity platform. This platform aims to deliver better cybersecurity results for customers, improve operational efficiency for security analysts, and increase profitability for partners.

In pursuit of partner growth, Sophos plans to expand service delivery competencies and partner enablement programmes. These include persona-based training and fast-track training initiatives designed to deepen partners' expertise in cybersecurity.

Chris Bell commented, "Partners need adaptable strategies that prioritise flexibility to stay ahead of the increasingly complex threat landscape. Unifying Sophos' and Secureworks' portfolios presents a unique opportunity to accelerate a future-ready channel programme that arms partners with the technology, services, insights, and enablement needed to protect customers and fuel long-term growth."

Additional strategic priorities encompass increasing market reach by leveraging the combined portfolio of Sophos and Secureworks, thereby equipping partners to enhance cybersecurity and fortify the security posture of various organisations, from commercial entities to large enterprises. There is also an emphasis on expanding routes to market by enhancing Sophos' presence across technology alliances, marketplaces, and within the cyber insurance ecosystem.

Torjus Gylstorff, Chief Revenue Officer at Sophos, expressed his enthusiasm stating, "Evolving our channel business to consistently deliver excellent customer outcomes is at the core of our partner go-to-market approach. We are thrilled to have Chris' strategic vision and deep channel and cybersecurity expertise to shape Sophos' channel strategy and build programs to empower partners to scale their security business."

Sophos continues to strengthen its service delivery capabilities and incorporates partner feedback into its products and enablement offerings. Following the acquisition of Secureworks, the company stands as a notable leader in managed detection and response services, safeguarding over 28,000 global customers. Initiatives such as Sophos Partner Care and Sophos Customer Success reflect Sophos' commitment to streamlining partner operations and maximising customer engagement and growth throughout the post-sale experience.

Sophos' recognised excellence in channel management is further evidenced by its designation as a Champion in the Canalys Global Cybersecurity Leadership Matrix 2025 and receiving a 5-Star Award in the CRN Partner Program Guide for 12 consecutive years. These accolades highlight Sophos' dedication to delivering valuable partner programmes aligned with business objectives.