Microsoft's India MD Neelam Dhawan to join Hewlett-Packard

Microsoft's India MD Neelam Dhawan to join Hewlett-Packard
6 Jun 2008, 2109 hrs IST,PTI

NEW DELHI: In a major setback to IT giant Microsoft, its India Managing Director Neelam Dhawan has decided to call it quits and will join Hewlett-Packard.

"I am sorry to announce that Neelam Dhawan will be leaving Microsoft to join HP as the Managing Director of HP India," Microsoft India Chairman Ravi Venkatesan said in a statement.

"We are losing a strong leader who has, over the past three years, helped position Microsoft very strongly in the Indian market. We wish her continued success in all her endeavours," he added.

He, however, said Dhawan's move would only strengthen Microsoft's relationship with one of its most important partners, HP.

"Being a part of the leadership team at Microsoft India has been one of the most rewarding roles of my professional life and the decision to leave was a difficult one to make. I am, of course, excited about my new role at HP, and the opportunity it gives me to further strengthen the partnership between the two companies," Dhawan said.

Dhawan joined Microsoft India in March 2005, and was responsible for the business strategy of the company. Her last working day at Microsoft would be June 30, 2008.