Tom Kruwis
Apotheker served at SAP for over 20 years, leading it to become a globally recognized brand. With a range of experience sectors in R&D and a background in technology platforms, he will become quite a resource for HP in its latest strategy towards growth in new areas.
HP already has its sights set high for the upcoming challenges, putting projections for next year's revenue higher than expected. During its analyst event this week, HP has been decidedly mum about a new CEO until now, wrapping up a chapter in the executive saga that spilled over into a fight for 3PAR's chunk of the cloud. HP can work towards refocusing its vision around mobile and cloud sectors.
Apotheker was only solely in charge of SAP for 7 months. (He was co-CEO for a year prior.) He was with SAP for 20 years.
This is a surprising move from HP, as most people believed HP would hire from within.
In the release announcing the hire, HP said Apotheker, "transformed R&D and technology platforms and expanded business models and customer segments," at SAP. Apotheker was in sales at SAP.
Apotheker's short stint as the boss at SAP did not draw rave reviews, but he may have inherited a bad situation. He took over just after the recession was at a low point.
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