14 DAY TRIAL // HP is really making changes to its command structure, not just its employee base. In fact, it has just shuffled executives and even brought in new blood.
HP's software business has so far been led by Bill Veghte, but the man is giving up his post to George Kadifa. He previously served as operating partner for the Value Creation Team of global technology investment firm Silver Lake.
Henceforth, he will be the leader of HP's IT Performance Suite software portfolio.
In the meantime, Bill Veghte himself will step up and accept greater responsibilities. His promotion sets him in the post of chief operating officer (COO).
"Bill has done an excellent job delivering strong results in HP Software, and more recently helping us focus our efforts in the execution of our strategy," said Whitman.
"With Bill's additional responsibilities, I am confident we can accelerate progress across our portfolio of assets.”
As part of his new post, Kadifa will join the HP executive council and report directly to Meg Whitman, the corporation's CEO. Meanwhile, Bill Veghte will have something closer to a collaboration with Whitman than subordination.
"George brings a wealth of experience gained at traditional software companies, service providers and startups," said Whitman.
"His ability to manage multiple business models will prove extremely valuable to HP as we extend our software offerings in cloud, information and security."
We mentioned changes to HP's employee base and we suppose we may as well offer some clarifications on that. The company is in the middle of a process meant to change its financial dynamics, and said process unfortunately involves 27,000 layoffs.
That's a big number no matter how one looks at it, even for an international conglomerate as enormous as HP, and it doesn't even take into account all the people that left after the implosion of everything webOS-related.