Insight Direct is handing temporary control of the UK operation to company veteran Justin Griffiths as current incumbent Emma de Sousa goes on maternity leave.

Griffiths, currently veep of partner management and marketing EMEA is set to pick up responsibilities as big cheese for northern Europe.

President for EMEA and Asia Pacific Stuart Fenton confirmed the move, saying: "Justin is taking over temporarily while Emma gives birth. We expect to have her back before the end of the year."

He said Griffiths – who joined Insight in 2004 from Microwarehouse – understands the business well, adding: "I have total confidence in him."

The reseller, which has been confirmed as one of the G-Cloud suppliers, recently closed off 2011 with Q4 sales up 2 per cent to $1.4bn (£882m) and net profits up 39 per cent to $34.7m (£21.8m).

For the full year, sales were up 10 per cent to $5.3bn and net profits climbed by a third to $110.2m. ®