Intel recruits US chief for top Euro role

Microchip giant Intel has appointed Earl Whetstone as its joint vice-president and general manager Europe with joint responsibility for marketing across the continent.

Whetstone, formerly the company’s vice-president and director Americas sales and marketing, replaces Steve Poole. Poole moves across to become the corporation’s director of operations.

Whetstone will work alongside Hans Geyer, who is the other vice-president and general manager Europe. Whetstone will be based in the company’s UK headquarters in Swindon, and will report to Paul Otellini, executive vice-president sales and marketing, who works from the US.

Whetstone and Geyer will have full responsibility for the marketing and sales operations across all of the company’s products in Europe.

Whetstone joined the company in 1980. In 1981 he was part of the team that convinced IBM to include an Intel in what was to be the first mass-produced personal computer.

The “Intel inside” campaign is the company’s biggest and, in combination with a variety of hardware manufacturers, it has generated 12bn worth of advertising around the world in six years.