HP (NYSE: HPQ) has announced Mark Hurd’s replacement – ex SAP (NYSE:SAP) CEO Léo Apotheker.
“Léo is a strategic thinker with a passion for technology, wide-reaching global experience and proven operational discipline - exactly what we were looking for in a CEO,” says Robert Ryan, lead independent director of the HP Board.
“Léo has been a leader in anticipating the transformation taking place in our industry, and we believe he is uniquely positioned to help accelerate HP’s strategy. He has demonstrated success in the US market and also has vast international experience - which will be a major asset as HP continues to expand globally, particularly in high-growth emerging markets.”
Says Apotheker: “Given HP’s diversified products and services, its financial strength, and its leadership position across markets, no other company is as well positioned to drive - and profit from – the revolutionary changes under way in the marketplace.”
Gartner analyst Andrew Butler believes Apotheker’s experience at SAP will bring opportunities to HP. “SAP operates at the business leader level. It sells to the CIO and above. HP, on the other hand, proliferates in the functional parts of IT, with no significant business leader engagement above the CIO.”
