Dell CTO quits

Dell, the number two PC maker worldwide is facing another high-profile executive departure as its chief technology officer plans to quit the firm at the end of the year.

Kevin Kettler, who has been with the firm for 13 years, plans to leave the company in January the company confirmed late last night.

"This is something Kevin's been planning for some time and we're working to find a successor," spokesman David Frink said.

Kettler will leave the company in mid-January to spend more time with his family and focus on his varied interests, Frink added.

Kettler is a founding member of an Texas-based charity and also owns a restaurant in the city of Austin.

Casey Jones, a vice president of marketing at Dell, also left the company earlier this month. Frink said his decision was personal and Jones continues to be a consultant to the company. He added that the two executive departures have nothing to do with Dell's ongoing cost-cutting effort.

That process involves slashing 8,900 jobs worldwide along with a recruitment freeze.

Just last week, Dell asked employees to consider taking up to five days of unpaid holiday as it struggles to cut costs and increase sales in the face of the economic downturn.