Pax8 hires former Datto business development chief Rob Rae
The prominent channel figure joins the business as CVP of community and ecosystems


Cloud marketplace provider Pax8 has announced the appointment of former Datto business development guru Rob Rae as its new corporate vice president of community and ecosystems.
Rae joins the business having spent more than nine years at the data backup specialist, where he played a crucial role in building partner growth.
RELATED RESOURCE
What 2023 will mean for the industry
What do most IT decision makers really think will be the important trends and challenges in the coming year?
In his new position at Pax8, he will apply his expertise to improving and growing MSP relationships, providing guidance and consultation on new programmes, as well as partnering with Pax8’s channel team on industry events and community operations.
“Rob is a well-respected IT channel veteran and considered by many the most influential person in our partner ecosystem,” said Nick Heddy, chief commerce officer at Pax8. “He has dedicated his career to enabling the IT channel to grow, get efficient, and build thriving businesses.
“We are excited to welcome Rob to the team, where we believe he will bring tremendous value to our partners, people, and the industry.”
Rob Rae's channel pedigree
A well-known face in the channel community, Rae arrives at Pax8 with more than 25 years’ technology and B2B experience.
Most recently, he held the role of senior vice president of business development at data backup specialist Datto, where he played a key role in developing the firm’s go-to-market strategy and building partner growth.
Stay up to date with the latest Channel industry news and analysis with our twice-weekly newsletter
However, speculation over Rae’s Datto future began to circulate back in March 2020 before the company’s $6.2 billion acquisition by Kaseya in June. In October, he called time on his spell at the company.
Beyond that, Rae is a prominent figure and award-winning speaker at MSP industry events and has been recognised on various industry influencer lists over the years.
He's also a member of several industry advisory boards, including the board of directors for professional IT certification body CompTIA since 2019.
Commenting on his new role at Pax8, Rae said: “I have always admired the incredible culture and company that Pax8 has built over the years, and I am thrilled to be part of the team.
“I have spent my career helping partners transform into modern MSPs, and in this new role, I will be able to leverage my experience across the entire technology stack. I look forward to diving in, supporting global teams, and continuing the great momentum for Pax8 and the IT channel industry.”
Dan is a freelance writer and regular contributor to ChannelPro, covering the latest news stories across the IT, technology, and channel landscapes. Topics regularly cover cloud technologies, cyber security, software and operating system guides, and the latest mergers and acquisitions.
A journalism graduate from Leeds Beckett University, he combines a passion for the written word with a keen interest in the latest technology and its influence in an increasingly connected world.
He started writing for ChannelPro back in 2016, focusing on a mixture of news and technology guides, before becoming a regular contributor to ITPro. Elsewhere, he has previously written news and features across a range of other topics, including sport, music, and general news.
-
The Channel Recruiter and Nebula debut new global talent resourcing solution
News Tech Talent on Tap aims to provide channel firms with on-demand access to elite technical professionals from around the world
-
SAS appoints Matt Parson as new chief revenue officer
News The former ExtraHop and Red Hat exec will spearhead SAS' global financial strategy as it targets further growth
-
ExtraHop builds on APAC momentum with Singapore expansion
News The vendor said its increased presence will help enterprises across the Asia Pacific region better meet evolving compliance demands
-
Effective Data and Cleo expand partnership to drive supply chain integration capabilities
News The agreement will deepen collaboration between the Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC) and Effective Data’s data integration expertise
-
ManageEngine debuts new MSP platform to streamline IT operations
News The new MSP Central platform targets IT sprawl with integrated RMM, PSA, and advanced server monitoring
-
The top trends shaping the future of the channel
News As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, Westcon-Comstor has outlined some of the key channel growth drivers it expects to see in Q2 2025 and beyond.
-
Alteryx announces new chief marketing officer amid global expansion
News The former UserTesting CMO will lead Alteryx’ marketing strategy as it looks to expand its global footprint
-
HPE just announced huge changes to its channel programs
News HPE has announced the launch of HPE Partner Ready Vantage, a new unified channel program designed to help partners unlock new growth opportunities.