SINGAPORE – IBM has announced the appointment of Hans Dekkers as the new general manager for IBM Asia Pacific, effective immediately. Dekkers succeeds Paul Burton in this role.

In his new position, Dekkers will oversee IBM’s strategic and operational activities across a vast region that includes Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Korea, India, South Asia, and the Greater China region, encompassing Hong Kong and Taiwan. His responsibilities will span sales, marketing, services, technology, and delivery operations.

Dekkers brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He was previously based in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he served as IBM’s GM for North, Central, and Eastern Europe. His career with IBM has also seen him living and working in several key locations within the Asia Pacific region, including China, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and India. Additionally, Dekkers has significant experience in Indonesia, South Korea, and the broader ASEAN region.

Accelerating digital transformation in APAC

“I am delighted to be back working with such a talented team in a place I consider my second home. This is a critical time for companies and organisations across this dynamic region as they move at pace to transform, adopt new technologies and explore new business models,” Dekkers said.

“IBM has an exciting opportunity to help define their future through our people, ecosystem partners and capabilities in hybrid cloud and AI as clients accelerate their critical transformation journeys.”

Dekkers’ familiarity with the Asia Pacific market, coupled with his comprehensive experience across various facets of IBM, positions him well to drive the company’s growth strategy in the region. This strategy is primarily focused on hybrid cloud and AI, areas where IBM continues to innovate and expand its capabilities.

Upskilling talent in AI

Back in September, IBM announced its plan to train 2 million learners in AI by the end of 2026, collaborating with universities worldwide. This initiative aims to target underrepresented communities where the skills gap is more pronounced.

Through IBM SkillsBuild, learners globally can access AI education, gaining insights into the latest technological advancements. The SkillsBuild platform will include improved chatbots to support learners and tailored learning paths based on individual preferences and experiences.