Phil Smith, UK CEO, Cisco is stepping down from his role to move to the chairman’s office.

Smith, who has been at the head of Cisco in the UK for more than two decades is said to have written a memo to staff announce his decision, according to The Channel.

Scott Gardner, who is currently VP, Service Provider, EMEAR, at Cisco, will be stepping up the UK & I CEO position, it is reported.

Smith has had a positive impact on Cisco in the UK since he took up the role in March 1994. Taking the company from a £225,000 net loss in the year ended July 1994, to a net profit of £3.6m by fiscal end 2014.

Earlier this year Smith spoke to CBR about how the company’s $1bn investment in the UK has been used.

In addition to his roles at Cisco, Smith is currently the Chairman of the Technology Strategy Board, as well as being Chairman IT & Telecoms board e-skills UK, he has been in these roles for just under five years.

Gardner has been in the role of VP, Service Provider, EMEAR, since February 2013, previously holding the role of MD in the same area.

Reports of this change of roles are yet to be confirmed by the company but should this happen then a clear path ahead will need to be laid out by Gardner.

Given the company’s recent large investment in the UK, and instability in the markets following the Brexit vote, Cisco may need to act quickly to assure customers in the UK of what the company’s plans are.

Update:

Cisco has confirmed that Phil Smith will be changing his role to Chair of Cisco UK and Ireland, he wrote on the company’s blog: "I have now reached an important juncture in my career, and so I’m honoured to share that I will be making the transition to the role of Chair of Cisco UK and Ireland on a part-time basis.

The UK and Ireland is tremendously important to Cisco. Together, we have grown the business significantly in my eight years as its leader. I am immensely proud of all of you who have been involved – whether employees, our partners or our customers who have and continue to innovate and lead industry transformation with us."

Smith went on to confirm that Scott Gardner will be taking on the role of CEO UK & I.