Clare Barclay is relinquishing the Microsoft UK CEO hotseat after four years, as part of a regional management rejig.
The Microsoft veteran will now take on the role of President, Enterprise and Industry for the EMEA region at the software giant, with the man who previously held that title – Darren Hardman – taking her place.
Both Barclay and Hardman have a strong channel pedigree, with the former having led Microsoft’s UK channel before her elevation to UK COO and then UK CEO. She was the only regional leader to make the cut for IT Channel Oxygen’s recent 30 Greatest Vendor Leaders of the 21st Century poll.
Hardman joined Microsoft after a stint as AWS UK&I CEO, but before that was EMEA President of Microsoft partner Avanade, meanwhile.
He will take up his the UK CEO post on 2 November.
Microsoft said the leadership changes are designed to “reflect the continued commitment to helping customers and partners make the most for the platform shift to AI”.
Barclay last November presided over what she characterised as “the single largest investment” in Microsoft’s UK history as the vendor committed to spending £2.5bn to expand its AI datacentre infrastructure here.
The rejig also comes after Microsoft earlier this week announced a fresh five-year partnership with the government for discounted software.
Microsoft has around 6,000 staff in the UK.
“I will continue to be a huge champion of the UK and I’m confident that the best is yet to come. These are exciting times as we embrace the potential of AI for industry innovation and growth and I’m looking forward to the next chapter,” Barclay stated.
“The UK is one of the most innovative countries and sophisticated adopters of technology globally, especially in the realm of AI, and I’m incredibly excited to be leading our talented team in this dynamic market,” Hardman added.
