Darktrace, a cybersecurity company known for its AI-driven threat detection platform, has appointed Hein Hellemons as Chief Revenue Officer. In his new role, Hellemons will oversee worldwide Sales and Solutions Engineering, working to deepen Darktrace’s relationships with customers and potential clients across its major regions and sectors and report directly to CEO Jill Popelka.
His appointment follows the departure of former CRO Denise Walter after Darktrace’s acquisition by Thoma Bravo. Popelka said, “Hein leads with a deep focus on customer excellence,” emphasizing how his experience aligns with the company’s next phase of expansion. She also thanked outgoing leaders for their contributions during periods of change.
Hellemons joins Darktrace with extensive experience directing go-to-market functions across major technology and cybersecurity firms, including KnowBe4, VMware, AWS, and Microsoft. He most recently served as CRO at KnowBe4, where he guided global sales, marketing, customer success, and channel teams while playing a central role in scaling the business.
Explaining his move, Hellemons noted, “What drew me to Darktrace is its best-in-class technology – AI that can detect never-before-seen threats in real time and protect organizations across their entire digital ecosystem. As cyber threats grow, this capability has never been more critical for organizations,” highlighting the value he sees in the company’s AI-based threat response. He added that he aims to strengthen customer relationships and expand the company’s presence across key markets as Darktrace continues to grow.