Executive shuffle as Oracle embraces former HP boss Mark Hurd

by Steven Mostyn - Sep 7 2010, 04:34

Computer software specialist Oracle Corporation has engaged in a spot of executive shuffling this week, appointing ousted Hewlett-Packard (HP) boss Mark Hurd as president and member of the board, reporting to chief executive officer Larry Ellison.

“Mark did a brilliant job at HP and I expect he’ll do even better at Oracle,” enthused Ellison in an official statement. “There is no executive in the IT world with more relevant experience.”

During his time in the industry, Hurd also notably pioneered the integration of hardware with software through Teradata – back when it was aligned with NCR.

Hurd replaces Charles Phillips at Oracle Corp., who resigned his position at the company on September 6, saying only “it has been an honor to work with them, Safra Catz, and the thousands of Oracle employees around the world who are committed to delivering high quality products and services to customers.”

In paying tribute to the departing executive, Ellison said Phillips had “evolved our field culture toward a more customer-centric organization and improved our top line consistency through a period of tremendous change and growth.”

According to Ellison, the former president and member of the board had expressed a desire to “transition out of the company” in December of 2009, at which point Ellison had urged him to remain in his post until Oracle had completed the high-profile integration of Sun Microsystems.

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