SYDNEY -- 12 December 2000 -- Cisco Systems today announced that Richard Freemantle, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific plans to retire at the end of Cisco's fiscal third quarter (April 2001). Mr. Freemantle will be replaced by Gordon Astles, currently Cisco's Vice President of Americas International division.
One of Cisco's longest serving leaders, Mr. Freemantle joined Cisco Systems in 1990 and set up Cisco's operations in Australia - at the time Cisco's first international subsidiary. While Managing Director of Cisco Australia, he increased the Australian team from two employees to over 100. In 1996 Freematle was promoted to Vice President and transferred to Cisco's European operations (EMEA), where he managed Cisco's Northern Region, including the United Kingdom, the Nordic Countries and South Africa. In 1999 he was again promoted to Senior Vice President and was transfer back to Sydney to manage Cisco's Asia Pacific operations.
Under his direction, Cisco's Asia Pacific region has been one of the fast growing theatres in the world for the company. Mr. Freemantle also serves on the boards of several Australian technology companies and will continue to be an active leader in the Australian and regional IT industry.
Mr. Freemantle will continue in his current role until the end of January 2001 and will remain with the company until April 2001 to transition his responsibilities to Mr. Astles.
Gordon Astles is currently Cisco's Vice President of Americas International, which comprises the company's operations in Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Mr. Astles previously served as Cisco's Vice President, EMEA Channels and Managing Director, Cisco Canada. Mr. Astles will start in his role in February 2001.
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