HP Executives Depart Ahead Of Corporate Split

Hewlett-Packard (HP) reportedly has 400-plus staffers working on the financial, legal and technological details of breaking HP in two separate organisations.

But this number is down by two this week as a couple of senior HP executives handed in their resignations, including the man in charge of the corporate break-up.

Company Split

HP revealed late last year that it will become two separate businesses after years of turmoil at the computing giant. The split will take place on 1 November.

Hewlett-Packard Enterprise will sell commercial products, including servers, storage appliances, networking gear, enterprise software and services. HP Inc meanwhile will focus on PCs and printers.

But two high level executives will not be there after they handed in their resignations. It was announced that Bill Veghte, the Executive VP of HP’s Enterprise Group (EG) will leave HP this summer to “pursue a new opportunity”.

Veghte’s departure is noteworthy as he has been in charge of efforts to split the computing giant into  two separate businesses since last October. He has previously served as COO of HP, and prior to that was a long-serving (20 years) executive at Microsoft.

It was announced that Chris Hsu will assume the role of COO for Hewlett Packard Enterprise upon separation, and will continue to lead Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s separation efforts. Antonio Neri meanwhile has been running HP’s enterprise group while Veghte was working on the split, but will now take over as head of the enterprise group.

“From the moment he arrived at HP, Bill has made a huge difference,” said Meg Whitman, Chairman, President and CEO of HP. “He brings energy, insight, and leadership to everything he does.  I am grateful for all he did to help me lead HP through the turnaround and into the separation.  I know Bill will continue to enjoy great success in the years to come.”

“The decision to leave a company and people you are passionate about is never an easy one,” said Bill Veghte. “It has been a privilege working with Meg and a great leadership team as we transform Hewlett Packard to help customers on their journey to the New Style of IT.”

Security Departure

But Veghte is not the only executive departing HP.

Although there is no official confirmation as of yet, Re/code reported that Art Gilliland, a HP senior VP and head of its security software business is also leaving the company.

Gilliland used to work for Symantec, but will reportedly run a new software startup after spending three years at HP.

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