In a major organization reshuffle, Microsoft has announced the departure of two key executives. Stephen Elop, ex CEO of Nokia, had helmed the sale of the erstwhile smartphone giant to Microsoft. Jo Harlow, a high ranking member of the Nokia leadership, is also departing from the company. Harlow reported directly to Stephen Elop and was instrumental in the decision to kill future feature phones and also the Android powered X series of phones.
Stephen Elop will be leaving the company after a brief transition period. He was heading Microsoft’s Lumia division since the transition of Nokia’s Device & Services division to Microsoft. The shuffle in administration means that Terry Myerson will now be presiding over the Windows and Devices Group. The former Windows chief will integrate Microsoft’s hardware efforts across verticals including Surface, HoloLens, Lumia, Band, Xbox and others.
Nadella’s Microsoft has led to consolidation and organization of the company’s engineering efforts into three main groups. While Terry Myerson will head the Windows & Devices Group, Scott Guthrie will head Enterprise & Cloud. Qi Lu will lead the Applications and Services Group.