HP Chief Strategist Walks

Directionless HP is losing its CTO, come Nov 1. Shane Robison, described as ‘responsible for shaping HP agenda and strategy’ is to step down as the company faces an ever increasing identity crisis.

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Earlier this year, HP made the controversial (and arguably fatal) decision to spin-off its PC business to focus on software operations, although now appears it could back track on the decision.

Robison who has served for 11 years will retire as executive vice president and chief strategy and technology officer effective Nov. 1 next and won’t be replaced.

“Shane has been a powerful innovator for our business groups and other corporate divisions,” Hewlett Packard said yesterday.

Robison, described as an 11-year ‘HP veteran’ was responsible for shaping HP’s corporate strategy and technology agenda and also served as a member of the company’s Executive Council.

“He was instrumental in steering the company’s multibillion-dollar research and development investment and has led many of the company’s largest merger and acquisition activities.”

HP also announced that it will not be replacing Robinson’s role of chief strategy and technology officer, “in an effort to drive strategy, research and development closer to the company’s businesses” although could have more to do with the ‘spin-off’ decision which saw the monumental fall of Leo Apotheker as CEO earlier this year.

“Shane has been a powerful innovator for our business groups and other corporate divisions,” Meg Whitman, HP’s new CEO said, who is said to be about to execute a new ‘grand plan’ for the trouble PC and printer giant.

In an e-mail sent to employees last month, former eBay chief Whitman spoke of a “deep-rooted legacy” which she (along with Exec Chairman, Ray Lane) wishes to maintain and build on, suggesting a swift U turn is nigh.