Microsoft's Windows Mobile Group Gets a New Chief

There's a new man at the helm of the group responsible for Windows Mobile.  Pieter Knook, who had held responsibility for this operating system for five years, is leaving the company.

Knook -- who was senior vice president in Microsoft's Mobile and Embedded Devices unit -- is jumping over to Vodafone be in charge of this telecom's new Internet services division.

"I am very excited to join Vodafone Group," said Knook. "I look forward to serving Vodafone's customers with innovative Internet based services, as well as bringing new software and services expertise to a company that is renowned for its worldwide customer reach, mobility offerings, and its focus on high quality execution."

The New Man

Andy Lees will be taking over Knook's role. He was previously a Microsoft vice president in charge of the company's Server & Tools Marketing and Solutions Group.

A Microsoft spokesperson said:

Microsoft will miss Pieter Knook - he has made significant contributions to the company, in particular to Windows Mobile; we wish him well in his new endeavors.

Andy Lees, who has a proven track record at Microsoft of managing fast-growing businesses and creating new business models, will lead the company through the next stage of dramatic growth in mobile communications.

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