Microsoft unveils Cindy Rose as new UK CEO

Ex-Vodafone boss will take reins from incumbent Michel Van der Bel on 1 November. Separately, Microsoft also announces Gavriella Schuster as new global channel boss

Microsoft is swapping UK CEOs, with former Vodafone UK consumer boss Cindy Rose (pictured) set to replace incumbent Michel Van der Bel on 1 November.

News of Rose's appointment was confirmed on Twitter this afternoon by Van der Bel himself, who is moving to a new role, to be announced at a future date, following a four-year stint as CEO.

Separately, Microsoft also announced a new global channel boss following the depature last month of Phil Sorgen to another role within the group. The corporate vice president role within Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Group will now be filled by Gavriella Schuster, Microsoft announced in a blog post today.

20-year Microsoft veteran Gavriella will talk at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto next month, an event UK partners are already eagerly anticipating.

Prior to Vodafone, new UK supremo Rose held high-level roles at Virgin Media and Disney Interactive Media Group.

Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft International, said Rose would bring a "deep understanding of the digital space".

"As we continue to transform as an organisation and support our customers' digital transformation, Cindy's experience will be invaluable," he said.

Courtois also paid tribute to Van der Bel, who earlier this month wrote to Microsoft staff, customers and partners saying he believed the UK should remain within the EU.

"I would also like to pay tribute to Michel Van der Bel, who has been an inspiring leader of Microsoft UK over the past four years," Courtois said. "I've worked closely with Michel over this period and know just how he embodies our company's values. He can be justifiably proud of the organisation he has led and I look forward to announcing his next role in the near future. Over the next few months Michel will work alongside Cindy, to ensure we have a smooth transition of leadership and continue to drive our business forwards."

Rose added: "I'm thrilled to be joining Microsoft and to be asked to lead the UK business at such an opportune moment in the company's history and such an unprecedented moment in the country's history."