Mark Coates Appointed as Vice President for EMEA at Verkada to Boost Regional Expansion

Mark Coates Joins Verkada as Vice President for EMEA

In an exciting development for the security technology sector, Verkada has announced the appointment of Mark Coates as Vice President for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. With a wealth of experience in enterprise technology and security, Coates is expected to spearhead Verkada’s growth strategy as the company continues to expand its reach in these key markets.

Based in San Mateo, California, Verkada is a leader in AI-powered physical security technology, offering innovative solutions that simplify security management through cloud capabilities. Mark Coates will oversee not only the strategic planning and operations within the EMEA region but also the go-to-market processes as the demand for modernized physical security solutions rises among organizations in the area.

Eric Salava, Verkada’s Chief Revenue Officer, expressed enthusiasm about Coates' appointment, pointing out that the EMEA region is increasingly significant for the company due to the heightened demand from fast-growing businesses and organizations seeking to modernize their security frameworks. Salava noted, “Mark brings extensive regional expertise, proven experience in building and leading high-performing teams, and a deep understanding of the technology landscape.”

Coates comes to Verkada after nearly 30 years in technology and corporate security roles, most recently serving as Vice President for EMEA at Gigamon, where he was responsible for restructuring the organization in the region. This restructuring led to double-digit revenue growth and record performances over three consecutive years, earning him the title of Regional Vice President of the Year from 2022 to 2024. Before his tenure at Gigamon, Coates played a pivotal role at Digital Realty, where he increased revenue by over 30% and was instrumental in the integration of Interxion following its acquisition for $8.5 billion. His early career included senior roles at DTEX Systems, Veritas Technologies, Good Technology, and Symantec, where he was successful during significant market transformations.

Coates commented on his excitement for joining Verkada, saying, “What struck me is the ambition of the team and the momentum they have already created. I look forward to joining the company at such a pivotal time in its growth to help organizations protect their people, partners, and premises in a rapidly evolving world.”

He will be succeeding Ardon Anderson, the former Vice President for EMEA, who has accepted a new leadership role in North America. Anderson leaves behind a substantially expanded EMEA operations organization that experienced over 700% growth and successfully launched initiatives in the Middle East and Southern Europe.

Mark Coates will be a featured speaker at the VerkadaOne conference in London on March 19, 2026, where he will discuss the latest trends in cloud-based physical security along with a wide range of speakers, industry experts, and partners. Those interested in learning more about the event can register at VerkadaOne London.

Verkada was founded on the principles of simplicity, and it offers a range of six product lines including video security cameras, access control, environmental sensors, alarms, workplace security, and intercoms. These solutions deliver unmatched building security through a secure, integrated cloud software platform. Over 30,000 organizations in 171 countries trust Verkada's physical security solutions for easier management, intelligent controls, and scalable deployments. For more information, visit Verkada.