Microsoft UK appoints Clare Barclay as CEO

Microsoft's chief operating officer (COO) Clare Barclay has been handed the reins of the tech giant's UK operation, replacing Cindy Rose as the CEO from 1 October.

Rose, who was appointed UK CEO in 2016, is taking over as president for Microsoft's Western Europe business.

Barclay has spent 22-years at Microsoft working across sales, marketing, and strategy. She previously worked as director of small and medium-sized business and general manager of small, mid-market solutions and partners. She has been the company's COO since 2017.

As UK CEO she will be responsible for all of Microsoft's commercial product, service, and support platforms in the UK and will also be charged with continuing the company's growth in areas such as intelligent cloud and edge computing.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead Microsoft in the UK and to take forward the success Cindy has delivered and the cultural transformation she has led over the last four years," Barclay said in a statement. "This year has not only challenged us, it has also shown how technology can help us all thrive and adapt. I am looking forward to leading our amazing UK team in helping everyone in the UK to achieve more."

After four years at the helm of Microsoft's UK operations, Rose will move on to Western Europe, heading up business operations across the region, which compromises 14 countries including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland.

"I am privileged and thrilled to have the opportunity to lead Microsoft Western Europe and I will miss terribly our fantastic team here in the UK, along with our UK customers and partners with whom we have shared such great success," said Rose.

"I have no doubt that under Clare's dynamic and experienced leadership the best is yet to come for Microsoft UK."