REDMOND, Wash. — June 20, 2005 — In a move to drive growth and strengthen global execution, Microsoft Corp. today promoted Jean-Philippe Courtois to lead its international sales, marketing and services as president of Microsoft International and senior vice president of Microsoft Corp.
Neil Holloway (left), president of Microsoft EMEA, and Jean-Philippe Courtois (right), president of Microsoft International.
Courtois was formerly chief executive officer of Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). He now will have overall responsibility for Microsoft operations in Japan, China, the Asia Pacific region, Latin America, public sector and emerging markets, in addition to France, Germany, the United Kingdom and EMEA.
Neil Holloway, formerly corporate vice president of sales, marketing and services for EMEA, has been named president of Microsoft EMEA, with responsibility for operations at Microsoft EMEA headquarters in Paris, covering Western, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. He will continue to report to Courtois.
“We’re fortunate to have a leadership team with in-depth business and international experience that can help drive the next wave of growth for the company,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft. “The appointments of Jean-Philippe and Neil to these expanded roles will help increase our focus on both mature and emerging markets worldwide.”
Courtois will continue reporting to Kevin Johnson, group vice president of Worldwide Sales, Marketing and Services at Microsoft, who continues to take on additional cross-company responsibilities, including operations and corporate IT.
“We’re strengthening our international leadership team to further accelerate our drive for global growth,” Johnson said. “Our team is excited about the opportunities to satisfy customers and partners worldwide.”
Enhancing Global Priorities
Microsoft’s focus on strengthening global operations reflects its growing international presence and its commitment to operate as a local company in each country where it does business. Through local alliances with many governments, educational institutions and international organizations, Microsoft works around the world to promote social and economic development and expand access to technology and related skills.
These efforts have long been a focus for Courtois, who has served as co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Digital Divide Initiative Task Force and is a member of the South African International Advisory Council on Information Society and Development.
“As the CEO of EMEA I have been fortunate to meet and work with many impressive leaders from around the world, and together we have established a number of important initiatives that contribute to positive social and economic change,” Courtois said. “I look forward to continuing our existing partnerships and programs, and building new ones, with governments and organizations that aspire to make a positive difference in people’s lives through the use of technology.”
Holloway also has been deeply involved in Microsoft’s success across the EMEA region. He took on a regional role in 2000 after holding a number of strategic posts in Microsoft’s United Kingdom subsidiary, including that of managing director.
“My experience at Microsoft has taught me that we succeed when we listen to our customers, partners and employees,” Holloway said. “Our region is broad and represents a wide range of technology needs. I will be focusing on developing innovative and flexible solutions, and delivering the right technology for the diverse markets in this region.”
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