BlackBerry has appointed former SAP executive John Sims (pictured) as head of its enterprise business, as it looks to reassure core corporate customers about its future strategy.

The appointment of Sims as president, global enterprise services, follows an open letter written earlier this month by newly appointed executive chair and CEO John Chen in which he talked about returning to the company’s roots, serving business users.

BlackBerry has largely abandoned the consumer market.

Sims previously served as president of SAP’s mobile services business, following stints at 724 Solutions, Tantau Software, Intrado and Tandem Computers.

In a statement, Chen said: “I am pleased to welcome such a seasoned executive as John to BlackBerry to help lead our key business operations through our ongoing reorganisation and transition.”

Sims’ arrival is in contrast to a wave of recent departures from BlackBerry including its COO, CMO, CFO, as well as CEO Thorstein Heins, all of whom have departed since early November.