Microsoft reshuffles execs in Europe, Middle East and Africa unit
UK CEO becomes EMEA president after taking on role in Brit industrial strategy
Microsoft has reshuffled its EMEA team, moving Clare Barclay from UK CEO to president of enterprise and industry, EMEA, while effectively swapping roles with Darren Hardman.
Barclay, who has worked for Microsoft in the UK since 1998, was also appointed chair of the UK’s industrial strategy group last week.
Microsoft said that as CEO of Microsoft UK, Barclay had built notable partnerships associated with its AI products, including arrangements with the London Stock Exchange Group, telco Vodafone and retailer Sainsbury’s.
In her new role, Barclay will work across the 120 markets in EMEA.
Hardman joined Microsoft in May 2023 and will assume the role of CEO, Microsoft UK on 1 November.
Hardman's tenure as corporate veep, EMEA, lasted a year and a half after he joined the software giant from AWS, where he was CEO of UK and Ireland. He is credited with launching Microsoft's Software and Digital Platforms business in EMEA, designed to support "digital native" and ISV customers, on its platforms.
In a prepared statement, Ralph Haupter, EMEA president, Microsoft, said: "Clare and Darren both bring unique strengths and insights to their new roles. With this strategic leadership transition, we will bring the best of our industry and AI execution to our UK and EMEA customers."
Microsoft employs around 6,000 people in the UK from its base in Reading, 36 miles (57 km) west of London.
In November 2023, Microsoft said it would invest £2.5 billion ($3.25 billion) in the UK up until 2026 with the aim of expanding AI capacity, capability and security. The investment was set to double Microsoft's datacenter infrastructure at sites across the UK including Newport and London.
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Last week, UK prime minister Keir Starmer said he would make the nation's competition regulator more inclined toward economic growth the day after Barclay was appointed chair of the government's Industrial Strategy Advisory Council.
He said it was time to "upgrade the regulatory regime" and make it "fit for the modern age."
Microsoft is one of the companies under the scrutiny of UK regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as it continues to investigate the health of the local cloud market. ®