Chris Ward, Microsoft's commercial director quits
03 Nov 2009
Chris Ward has left Microsoft after 13 years. Ward, was on a three-month sabbatical and now will not return to his position.
He was on leave following the launch of Microsoft's new search engine, Bing.
In the 13 years since he joined, Ward, originally a journalist, oversaw the launch of the MSN news website and the MSN portal. He went on leave six months after Ashley Highfield joined Microsoft as UK managing director.
A keen environmentalist, Ward said in an interview before his sabbatical that he planned to travel with his family to the US for six weeks and then visit the Costa Rican rainforest, as well as indulge in his passion for fly fishing.
In a statement, Microsoft said, "Chris has exceptional experience in the online and media world and we wish him all the very best for the future."
Chris Maples will continue as acting commercial director. Microsoft is currently looking for a replacement.