Cisco Systems has said Chuck Robbins will succeed John Chambers as chief executive officer, appointing a salesman with experience in global operations to revive growth as competition from upstart software makers gets more intense.

Mr Robbins (49) will take up his new post on July 26th, the company said. Mr Chambers will become executive chairman.

Mr Chambers (65) had said he would step down by the end of the fiscal year ending July 2016. He had identified Mr Robbins as among 10 possible candidates for the post as early as 2012.

Mr Robbins joined the computer-networking company in 1997. He most recently served as senior vice-president of worldwide operations, leading the global sales and partners team, which Cisco said generated $47 billion in business.

He also helped develop the company’s strategy for its corporate segment, which represents 25 per cent of Cisco’s total business.

Mr Robbins was elected to the board effective May 1st. – Bloomberg)