IBM UK Appoints New Boss

Big Blue has a new man in charge of its UK operations after IBM named David Stokes as chief executive of IBM UK & Ireland.

The UK appointment comes days after IBM’s new global boss took up her role in the United States.

IBM UK brings in an Aussie

David Stokes has replaced Stephen Leonard at IBM UK, who has moved to become general manager of IBM’s Global Markets, Systems and Technology Group.

Stokes was born and bred in Australia, but holds a joint British and Australian passport. IBM has followed its usual practice of promoting internally as Stokes is an IBM veteran, having been with Big Blue since 1994.

Previously, Stokes has worked in IBM’s growth markets team as vice president for general business based in Shanghai and most recently was in Prague as general manager for IBM in Central and Eastern Europe. He has also held various “leadership roles” across the UK and Europe in the software, competitive sales and general business divisions.

Stokes graduated with First Class Honours and the University Medal in Engineering from Sydney University. He currently lives with his wife and two children in the UK, and from 7 January has been based IBM’s Southbank offices in London.

Global change

The appointment of Stokes comes after IBM, which is arguably one of the world’s largest and most important tech companies, appointed a new leader last year. IBM’s current CEO is Virginia “Ginni” Rometty, who took over the running of Big Blue in January 2012 from long-time leader Sam Palmisano, who retired.

Rometty became IBM’s first female CEO in the company’s 100 years in business. That appointment also made her one of the most important female executives in the United States.

And she is not alone. Meg Whitman is also in charge over at Hewlett-Packard, meaning that women now run two of the biggest IT companies in the world.

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