14 DAY TRIAL // Andy Lees is no longer the head of Microsoft’s Windows Phone business, after leading the group for the past three years or so.
Apparently, Microsoft decided to move him to a position related to Windows 8, the next version desktop platform, which is meant to arrive on various other devices as well.
AllThingsD managed to get hold of an internal memo in which Steve Ballmer announced the move.
“I have asked Andy Lees to move to a new role working for me on a time-critical opportunity focused on driving maximum impact in 2012 with Windows Phone and Windows 8,” the memo reportedly reads.
“We have tremendous potential with Windows Phone and Windows 8, and this move sets us up to really deliver against that potential.”
In his new position, Andy Lees is expected to report directly to Ballmer. Moreover, he is said to retain the title of president, though it is still uncertain what Microsoft division he will lead.
Some suggest that he will be in charge with seeking new opportunities for the Windows 8 platform across devices.
Microsoft’s Windows Phone division has been through a long series of changes during the past years, with the move to Windows Phone 7 and the like; yet, the platform hasn’t seen too much traction on the market.
Windows Phone still falls well behind rival platforms such as Android and iOS, though it is expected to gain more share in the near future. In the said memo, however, Ballmer acknowledged Lees’ work as head of Windows Phone.
The company’s CEO also notes that Terry Myerson, the corporate VP leading the engineering behind Windows Phone, will be adding more responsibilities, including business development, marketing and more. However, he will not become president, as Lees was.
“In the three years Andy has been leading the phone group, we’ve come a long way,” Ballmer said.
“We reset our strategy, built a strong team that delivered [Windows Phone 7] and [the Mango update] and created critical new partnerships and ecosystem around Windows Phone,” the memo states.
“That is a ton of progress in a brief period of time, and I’m excited for Terry and team to keep driving forward and for Andy to dig into a new challenge.”