Leftwich to take helm of Microsoft Euro arm

Computer software giant Microsoft is promoting deputy general manager John Leftwich to a top consumer sales and marketing position in Europe.

Leftwich was formerly Microsoft director of marketing before the role was abolished in a company re- structure. He became director of the end-user business unit in the spring of last year and added the deputy general manager role about four months later.

Part of Leftwich’s new brief as general manager of the European end-user business will include responsibility for broad strategic marketing decisions across Europe. The end-user business unit is the division concerned with consumer buyers of software.

Meanwhile Microsoft has created a new UK marketing services division. Its responsibilities include database management, brand advertising, customer loyalty, and strategic market research. It will embrace Image, the division set up to manage advertising and direct marketing.

The new division is headed by Shaun Orpen, who was previously responsible for the strategic marketing and planning group in the company. He takes on the title of director.

“The new division is designed to co-ordinate the breadth of marketing activities across the company. We believe our image communication is an essential part of shaping Microsoft for the future,” says Orpen.

Leftwich will be replaced in the UK by Simon Witts, who becomes director of the end-user customer business unit. No replacement has yet been announced for the role of deputy general manager.

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