VMware appoints new CEO after Gelsinger departure

Raghuram has been with VMware since 2003 and will take over on June 1

VMware's COO of products and cloud services, Raghu Raghuram, will take over as the company's new CEO at the start of June.

He has been with the company since 2003 and replaces Pat Gelsinger, who left the business earlier this year to take up the position as Intel's new CEO.

"VMware is uniquely poised to lead the multi-cloud computing era with an end-to-end software platform spanning clouds, the data centre and the edge, helping to accelerate our customers' digital transformations," Raghuram said.

"I am honoured, humbled and excited to have been chosen to lead this company to a new phase of growth.

"We have enormous opportunity, we have the right solutions, the right team, and we will continue to execute with focus, passion, and agility."

Since he joined the company, Raghuram has helped drive company direction in key areas like its core visualisation business, software defined data strategy, SAAS transformation and in mergers and acquisitions, VMware claims.

He is appointed following a "thorough and thoughtful search", according to VMware's lead independent director Paul Sagan, who credited Raghuram's "clear vision" for the future.

VMware has also announced the appointment of Sumit Dhawan as president, who will lead all go-to market functions, but COO of customer operations Sanjay Poonen has decided to leave the company after seven years.

"I am thrilled to have Raghu step into the role of CEO at VMware," said Michael Dell, chairman of the VMware board of directors.

"Throughout his career, he has led with integrity and conviction, playing an instrumental role in the success of VMware.

"Raghu is now in position to architect VMware's future, helping customers and partners accelerate their digital businesses in this multi-cloud world."