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Raikes to leave Microsoft

Ina Fried CNET News.com

Published: 11 Jan 2008 11:58 GMT

The head of Microsoft's Business Division, Jeff Raikes, is to step down.

Raikes, 49, said he plans to step down in September, Microsoft said in a statement on Thursday. Stephen Elop, former Juniper Networks chief operating officer, will fill the role.

"Given the success of our business and the depth of leadership we have in place today, the time is right for me to leave the MBD [Microsoft Business Division] business in the capable hands of our new generation of leaders," Raikes said. "I remain committed to Microsoft and will work full-time between now and September, when I retire. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to working closely with Stephen and the MBD leadership team to ensure a smooth transition."

Elop, 44, also has ties to one of Microsoft's chief rivals, having served as Adobe's head of sales after that company's acquisition of Macromedia in 2005. Elop had been the chief executive of Macromedia.

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Raikes is best known for heading the Office business. In recent years, his responsibilities grew to encompass all of Microsoft's business software. Most recently he has also been heading Microsoft's efforts in unified communications.

"There is no overstating the incredible impact Jeff has had during his amazing career at Microsoft," chief executive Steve Ballmer said in a statement. "I'm confident that the deep and talented team we've got in place to fill Jeff's shoes will continue focusing on fulfilling the needs of our business customers around the globe. I'm looking forward to working with Stephen to drive the business forward."

As part of the transition, the company's Server and Tools Business will move out of MBD, and that division's head, Bob Muglia, will report directly to Ballmer.

Credit: Jeff Raikes to leave Microsoft from CNET News.com

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