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Acronis co-founder slips into driving seat after CEO picks up P45

Founding exec Beloussov: 'I'm excited to be back'

Backup and recovery specialists Acronis's latest CEO, Alex Pinchev, has left the firm and has been replaced by one of its founders.

Pinchev became Acronis's CEO with much fanfare in November 2011, replacing Jason Donahue. Pinchev, an ex-Red Hat sales leader, was described as a visionary CEO, and became an Acronis board member in 2010.

The new CEO set about adding a file sync'n'share product line to Acronis's mainstream backup products, based on an acquisition of GroupLogic in September 2012.

Now it seems that Pinchev is out, and his replacement in the CEO's chair is Serguei Beloussov, a co-founder of Acronis and its first president. Beloussov also happens to be chairman of software biz Parallels, known for its Mac desktop virtualisation software.

In a canned statement Beloussov said: "I am very excited to be back at Acronis. [It] is a leader in traditional backup and recovery solutions, and is leading the way forward with new solutions that protect, secure, and access a company's valuable data. The Company has a solid strategy for growth in virtual, Cloud and mobility markets. With leading technology and strong execution we will take a very good company and make it a great company.”

Of course, the software that will "protect, secure, and access a company's valuable data" is the file sync'n'share line introduced by Pinchev.

When The Register enquired why Pinchev had left Acronis, a spokesman said: "Alex has left the Company on amicable terms and is off to pursue other interests."

The Register asked if this CEO switch signalled a change in the company's strategy. The spokesman elaborated:

"Acronis’s strategy, which Alex helped to create, is to deliver secure data availability, accessibility and protection. As one of the original founders, Serguei will use his experience and knowledge to build on this strategy and focus on the protection and movement of data, regardless of platform or environment. For Acronis it’s about addressing the risk, easily, simply, and reliably for organisations of all sizes."

So not much change in strategy, then. El Reg also asked if Serguei Beloussov's CEO-ship was temporary. It's permanent, was the answer.

It would appear that the founders have tried two external CEOs, didn't like the results, and have taken back control. ®

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