Almost a year after Timothy Chen, the head of Microsoft China, resigned, the software giant announced that it found a new Corporate Vice President, Chairman and CEO. Simon Leung will lead the Microsoft Greater China Region (GCR), and will report directly to Jean-Philippe Courtois, senior vice president, Microsoft, and president of Microsoft International, the company announced.

“I am greatly excited to join the world-class team at Microsoft,” Leung stated. “The opportunity for Microsoft to grow in the Greater China Region, and to help the people and society here realize their full potential is unparalleled.”

Back at the end of 2007, when it announced the divorce of Chen from the company, Microsoft revealed that it was looking for a Chinese to fill in the role. Before joining Microsoft, Leung occupied the position of President, Asia Pacific, and Senior Vice President & GM, Asia Pacific, Networks & Enterprises at Motorola.

Courtois welcomed Leung as the head of the Greater China Region. “Given his deep experience in the industry and the region, as well as his strong leadership, I am confident that together with the executive leadership team, Simon will ensure Microsoft’s continued success in the market. With Simon on board, Microsoft will be able to create unique opportunities for our future growth, while strengthening our win-win strategy to be part of China’s drive to become one of the world’s leading innovation economies,” Courtois added.

At the same time, Microsoft has put together the Executive Management Committee for the Greater China Region, the members of which are responsible for overseeing the company's presence in the region. Among the members of the Executive Management Committee, Leung joins Eugenio Beaufrand, chief operating officer, Microsoft GCR, Fengming Liu, associate general counsel, vice president, Microsoft GCR, as well as Ya-Qin Zhang, vice-chairman, Microsoft GCR, corporate vice president, Microsoft, chairman of China Research & Development.

“Microsoft attaches great importance to China, both as a market and because it is such a key center for innovation,” said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corporation. “I am confident that, with the strong leadership of Simon and other members of the Executive Management Committee, we will strengthen our relationships with customers and partners, and achieve new levels of business success in the Greater China Region.”