News
Microsoft Enterprise Partner Exec Quits
A key Microsoft executive who oversaw enterprise customer and partner affairs at Microsoft has stepped down.
Simon Witts, an 18-year Microsoft veteran, resigned his position as corporate vice president of Microsoft's Worldwide Enterprise & Partner Group. He had held that position for the past eight years. Microsoft confirmed Witts' resignation in a statement.
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| Simon Witts. Source: Microsoft |
"We can confirm that Simon Witts is leaving Microsoft," a Microsoft spokesperson stated in an e-mail on Tuesday. "We are in the process of searching for his replacement."
Witts' departure was announced via an internal e-mail from Kevin Turner, Microsoft's chief operating officer. Veteran Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley posted a copy of the e-mail announcing the resignation, which Turner describes as a "mutual agreement."
Worldwide Industry and Global Accounts Vice President Susan Hauser will be in charge of partner relations and enterprise sales while Microsoft looks for Witts' replacement.
As the leader of the Enterprise & Partner Group, Witts oversaw Microsoft's relations with its large enterprise customers -- of which there are nearly 10,000 worldwide, according to the company -- and its network of enterprise partners.
Witts has held enterprise sales positions at Microsoft since 1993, according to his executive bio. Before moving to the Enterprise & Partner Group, he served as president of Microsoft Canada, as well as vice president of sales and marketing for Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Prior to working at Microsoft, Witts worked at IBM "in a number of sales management roles."