Apple Appoints SVP, Retail

Apple has named John Browett as the company’s new SVP of Retail. Before this appointment, he served as the CEO of Dixons Retail. Prior to joining Dixons, he held several executive positions at Tesco, including CEO of Tesco.com. Earlier in his career, he advised retail and consumer goods clients at the Boston Consulting Group.

Former Symantec CEO Joins Microsoft Board; Former Cisco SVP Named VP

Microsoft announced that John Thompson, 62, has joined the company’s Board. Currently, Thompson serves as the CEO of Virtual Instruments, a provider of virtual infrastructure and SAN optimization. Before joining Virtual Instruments, he was the Chairman & CEO of Symantec. Earlier in his career, Thompson held senior leadership positions at IBM, including GM of IBM Americas. He currently serves on the board of directors at UPS, Seagate Technology, and Teach for America.

Microsoft Adds to Windows Phone Team

Microsoft has promoted Andrew Lees to President of Windows Phone and Windows 8. In the past, he has served as Corporate VP of the Microsoft Server & Tools Marketing and Solutions Group. Prior to joining the Server & Tools Group, Lees held a variety of different roles within the Worldwide Sales, Marketing and Services Group. He joined Microsoft in 1990 and spent 10 years at Microsoft U.K.

Microsoft Adds to Windows Phone Team

Microsoft has promoted Andrew Lees to President of Windows Phone and Windows 8. In the past, he has served as Corporate VP of the Microsoft Server & Tools Marketing and Solutions Group. Prior to joining the Server & Tools Group, Lees held a variety of different roles within the Worldwide Sales, Marketing and Services Group. He joined Microsoft in 1990 and spent 10 years at Microsoft U.K.

Steve Jobs Relinquishes CEO Role at Apple; Replacement Announces First Promotion Decision

Apple announced that Steve Jobs, 56, has resigned as CEO of the company. He will continue to serve the company in his new role as Chairman of the Board. Former Apple COO Tim Cook, 50, has assumed the role of CEO. Prior to joining Apple, Cook was the VP of Corporate Materials for Compaq. He came to Compaq from Intelligent Electronics, where he served as COO of the computer reseller division. Cook has also worked at IBM, most recently as the Director of North American Fulfilment.

New CMO at SAP

SAP announced the appointment of Jonathan Becher as the company’s new Chief Marketing Officer. Becher joined SAP through the acquisition of Pilot Software, where he served as President, CEO, & CMO. Since joining SAP four years ago, he has served as EVP of Marketing. Prior to Pilot, Becher was the President and CEO of Accrue Software.

Oracle Veteran Assumes CFO Title

Oracle announced that Oracle President Safra Catz, 49, will assume the additional responsibility of CFO. Catz's appointment follows the resignation of the company's current CFO, Jeff Epstein, 53. The company announced  that Catz's appointment is permanent. Catz joined Oracle Corporation in April 1999 and has been President since January 2004. She has been a member of Oracle's Board of Directors since October 2001. She previously served as the company's CFO from November 2005 to September 2008. Catz also serves as a non-executive Director of HSBC Group, a position she has held since May 2008. Prior to Oracle, Katz worked for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette as a Managing Director.

CA Technologies announced that Rohit Kapoor, 46, CEO of ExlService Holdings Inc. has been elected to its Board of Directors. The Board expects to name Kapoor to the Board's Audit Committee. Kapoor's appointment brings the Board membership to 10, nine of whom are independent. In 2008, Kapoor was named president and CEO of ExlService Holdings, Inc., a provider of outsourcing and transformation services, and has served as a director since 2002. Kapoor previously served as ExlService Holdings' COO and CFO. He co-founded ExlService.com, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ExlService Holdings, in April 1999.