Microsoft Announces CFO Transition
Current chief financial officer (CFO), Chris Liddell, will be leaving Microsoft at the end of 2009, and will be replaced by Peter Klein.
Liddell joined Microsoft in May 2005 after serving as CFO at International Paper, as well as chief executive officer (CEO) of Carter Holt Harvey, then New Zealand’s second-largest listed company. He said he is looking at a number of opportunities that will expand his career beyond being a CFO. He will continue at Microsoft working closely with Klein through 31 December, to ensure a smooth transition.
Klein joined Microsoft in February 2002 and currently serves as CFO of Microsoft’s business division, overseeing all financial strategy, management and reporting for the US$18.9bn business with 7,800 full-time employees. Previously, Klein served three years as CFO of Microsoft’s server and tools business.
Before joining Microsoft, Klein spent 13 years in corporate finance, primarily in the communications and technology sectors: McCaw Cellular Communications; Orca Bay Capital, a private equity firm; and several start-ups, including HomeGrocer.com, where as vice president and treasurer he helped lead an initial public offering (IPO) and subsequent acquisition by Webvan.
Klein holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and an MBA from the University of Washington.