14 DAY TRIAL // We've heard of several staff changes and layoffs that came about as a consequence of poor financial performance of this or that company, but now we get to see one that isn't caused by anything so nefarious.
Dell has announced that the positions of senior vice president (senior VP) and chief financial officer (CFO) will no longer be held by Brian Gladden.
Gladden, who has served Dell in those capacities since 2008, is, in Dell's own words, leaving to pursue other career interests.
The man that will take over for him is Thomas W. Sweet, who is currently a vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer of the corporation as a whole.
"Tom has been a key leader in our corporate finance organization for 16 years. His knowledge of our business, versatility as a finance leader and his strategic insights are valued by leaders across the company," said Michael Dell, chairman and chief executive officer of Dell.
"I am delighted that Tom will be joining our leadership team to help lead Dell through our next chapter and help me position the company for long-term success."
Gladden will stay with Dell until the end of February 2014, next month as it were. That should be enough time for him to finish up whatever loose ends he has left.
Passing his responsibilities on to Mr. Sweet could have probably been easier on both of them if he gave himself a bit more time, but Sweet has also been working in the same division, so the transition should be pretty seamless despite that only four or five weeks are left.
As CFO, Thomas Sweet will have to oversee how Dell's funds are divided amongst the various company divisions and sub-businesses, as well as work with the other high-ranking staff members to negotiate acquisition deals, bank loans (if needed), investments and other transactions.
Currently, Dell is in the middle of “a multi-year strategy to become an end-to-end solutions provider” (Gladden's words) so Mr. Sweet has his work cut out for him.