IBM UK appoints new chief

IBM has announced that it will replace current UK CEO Stephen Leonard with David Stokes (pictured) with immediate effect, after Leonard was appointed general manager of IBM's global markets, systems and technology group, the Computing reported.

Stokes worked at IBM in Australia until 1994 when he moved to IBM UK. He has held a number of senior executive positions during his time at the company, including in IBM’s Growth Markets division as vice president, general business based in Shanghai, and most recently in Prague as general manager, IBM Central and Eastern Europe.

He has also held several leadership roles across the UK and Europe in IBM's software group, competitive sales and general business divisions. Stokes graduated with first class honours and the ‘University Medal in Engineering' at Sydney University.

He will be based at IBM's Southbank offices in London and will be responsible for a workforce of around 20,000 people. In addition to the change in the UK business, last week, IBM revealed that senior vice president Mike Daniels would retire from the firm after 36 years with the company.

Instead of finding a direct replacement, the firm has opted to discontinue the position and allow Bridget van Kralingen to remain as head of global business services, and Erich Clementi to continue as leader of global technology services. Both will now directly report to IBM CEO Virginia Rometty.

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