Cloud Computing: HP Gets New Chief Strategist
January 20, 2012
HP has named Bill Veghte its chief strategy officer, replacing CTO Shane Robison who was ousted three months ago.
Veghte, who used to run the $15 billion Windows unit at Microsoft, joined HP in 2010 as head of software, a job he will keep. He is also supposed to head HP’s cloud and webOS open source initiatives.
HP said that as chief strategy officer, Veghte’s supposed to "help define the IT industry’s future and make certain HP continues to lead the way," adding that his "new role reaffirms HP’s commitment to providing customers with the latest platforms, products and services needed for success in a rapidly changing world."…
In the fiscal year ending in October HP’s software business, never its strong suit, was up 18%.
The appointment counts as one of Meg Whitman’s first management changes since she became CEO last September. When Robison retired the field HP said it wouldn’t have another chief strategy and technology officer. Veghte won’t have Robison’s R&D and M&A responsibilities.