Lynch successor named for Autonomy

HP welcomes former Microsoft exec Robert Youngjohns to lead costly acquisition to growth

HP has appointed a former Microsoft exec to head up its Autonomy/IM business, after founder Mike Lynch left the company earlier this year.

Effective from 17 September, Robert Youngjohns – formerly president of Microsoft North America – will take on the role of senior vice president and general manager of Autonomy, reporting directly to George Kadifa, executive vice president of HP Software.

In a statement Kadifa said: “Robert’s background of strong business and leadership excellence makes him ideally suited to lead this business. I am excited to see the guidance he will bring to our Autonomy/IM business and the insights and perspectives he will add to the HP software leadership team.”

HP bought Autonomy in May for a whopping $10.3bn (£6.4bn) under the leadership of former chief executive Léo Apotheker, with many market watchers at the time and since questioning the size of the deal.

Autonomy founder Mike Lynch became the first UK tech billionaire, and was dubbed the UK's Bill Gates. He netted $800m from the sale.

However, the sale of the company also marked the beginning of the end of Apotheker’s stint as HP chief as Meg Whitman took the reins.