HPE South Pacific names interim boss after Matthews exit
HPE South Pacific has announced the departure of Patrick Matthews from his role leading its compute, high performance computing and data solutions business. Anthony Sanelli will take over on an interim basis.
Matthews will leave next month after nearly 15 years with the company. He is taking a career break to travel and spend time with family in the United States.
The change affects a senior sales and general management role within HPE's South Pacific operation. As Sales Director and General Manager for Compute, High Performance Computing and Data Solutions, Matthews oversaw several of the company's core infrastructure and services lines across Australia and the wider region.
Sanelli, currently Compute Sales Leader for HPE South Pacific, will assume the role while retaining his existing responsibilities. The interim arrangement is intended to maintain continuity for customers and partners while HPE searches for a permanent replacement.
Career tenure
Matthews held leadership roles across both HP and HPE in services and compute during his tenure. He led the HPE Services and Compute businesses and was involved in initiatives related to GreenLake, managed services, consulting, support services and the company's x86 server market position in the region.
His departure marks a notable management change for HPE in the South Pacific, where enterprise technology suppliers continue to compete for large corporate and public sector spending across infrastructure, cloud consumption models and services. Senior local leaders often carry broad operational responsibility, combining sales oversight with product line management and partner relationships.
Market context
In Matthews' case, that remit covered compute and data-focused operations at a time when demand for artificial intelligence workloads, data-intensive applications and hybrid IT models has kept infrastructure vendors under pressure to retain customers while shifting them towards service-led purchasing models. HPE has been expanding its GreenLake business globally as part of that strategy.
Management transitions in regional technology units are often closely watched by channel partners and enterprise customers, particularly when they involve executives with long-standing local relationships. Vendors in the South Pacific market rely heavily on continuity in account management and partner engagement, especially in sectors such as government, financial services, education and telecommunications.
Operational focus
Matthews had been recognised for building sales teams and leading business change in collaboration with customers, partners and staff. That emphasis reflects how large infrastructure suppliers increasingly organise local operations around account retention, services attachment and partner-led delivery rather than product sales alone.
Sanelli's interim appointment suggests HPE is opting for an internal handover rather than bringing in an external executive at short notice. Such appointments are common when vendors want to reassure customers and staff while avoiding disruption during a formal recruitment process.
Chris Weber, Vice President and Managing Director, HPE South Pacific, acknowledged Matthews' contribution and the need for stability during the transition.
"Patrick has made outstanding contributions to HPE across South Pacific over many years, and we're grateful for his leadership and customer-first mindset," said Chris Weber, Vice President and Managing Director, HPE South Pacific. "We wish him every success in the next chapter. We're also pleased to have Anthony step into the interim role to ensure continuity for our customers and partners while we conduct a thorough search for a permanent replacement."