HP's last CEO resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment. Though he was later cleared of any violation of the company's sexual harassment code, the drama continued as he tried to accept a position with HP rival Oracle. HP attempted to stop him from taking up position as co-President of Oracle by suing him. Though both parties later agreed to settle out of court, it's safe to say Mark Hurd's departure from HP was a messy affair.
However, while so many of us have watched the series of events unfold with rapt attention, there was a chapter of this story missing; who did HP plan to instate as its new CEO? Well, the missing pages have finally been recovered: HP last night confirmed that Léo Apotheker is the new boss.
Now, you might be asking who Léo Apotheker is, after all his name is not a well-known one. However, his position in the tech industry surely is. Apotheker was the CEO of Oracle rival SAP until February of this year.
"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," said Robert Ryan, lead independent director of the Board.
"HP has a powerful mix of businesses, products and services, one of the most
innovative cultures in the industry, and an accomplished management team who
have played a critical role in its success," said Apotheker. "I am deeply honored to be joining the more than 300,000 dedicated HP employees."
Apotheker will also join HP's board of directors, along with another new member, Ray Lane, Managing Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Lane's election to non-executive chairman is another sting against Oracle, as he previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer at the company.
Both positions are effective November 1.
Source: HP
