IBM poaches one of Microsoft's global leadership team to run its UK&I business

As the new UK&I CEO, Dr Nicola Hodson succeeds Sreeram Visvanathan, who is leaving IBM following a 22-year career

Former Microsoft global executive Dr Nicola Hodson has been named CEO of IBM in the UK and Ireland.

Big Blue announced today that it poached Dr Hodson to succeed Sreeram Visvanathan, who is leaving IBM following a 22-year career.

Dr Hodson is the first female leader of IBM UK&I.

Her senior leadership experience included additionl roles as deputy President of techUK, and non-executive director roles at Beazley plc, Drax plc and Bramble Energy Ltd.

IBM says that central to her role will be helping clients in critical industries to leverage technologies like AI, Automation and Hybrid Cloud to "reduce cost, increase productivity and accelerate innovation in challenging times".

"Nicola is an accomplished leader with an enviable wealth of senior-level experience in the IT industry and a deep understanding of challenges facing the C-suite," said IBM chair and general manager EMEA Paula Assis.

"The UK and Ireland business is a critical growth and innovation engine for IBM and her strong track record in leading change will help drive sustained growth for our clients and our business,"

Prior to her appointment, Dr Hodson was most recently Microsoft's VP of customer & partner solutions and transformation, and a member of its global leadership team for commercial business.

She joined Microsoft in 2008 to lead its UK Public Sector business, moving four years later to become the company's UK chief operating officer.

Commenting on her new role at IBM, Dr Hodson said: "IBM has incredible relevance in the market and I am excited to lead the UK and Ireland business and to work with such a talented team.

"This is a make-or-break time for all companies and organisations as they move at pace to transform, to adopt new technologies and business models and to deliver on their sustainability ambitions.

She added: "IBM technology and consulting capabilities in hybrid cloud and AI are helping clients to accelerate their critical transformation journeys."