HP strategy chief to retire

Hewlett-Packard (HP) will be losing one of its key strategists, Shane Robison, after he decided to end his 11-year tenure with the company by retiring. In a statement, the company stated that it would not be seeking a replacement for the role.

In a Reuters report on Thursday, HP announced that Robison, the company's executive vice president and chief strategy and technology officer, will call time on his stint effective Nov. 1. His departure comes on the heels of top-level reshuffles at the software company, with former eBay CEO Meg Whitman taking over from the deposed Leo Apotheker in September.

Robison was a pivotal figure in crafting long-term strategy for HP through mergers and acquisitions as well as research and development, Reuters noted. He also served as a member of the company's Executive Council and was one of the four principal architects of HP's merger with Compaq, according to a separate report by tech Web site Techcrunch.

In a company-issued statement, Whitman said: "Shane has been a powerful innovator for our business groups and other corporate divisions." However, the company will not be replacing Robison's soon-to-be-vacated position "in an effort to drive strategy, research and development closer to the company's businesses", HP stated.

The largest U.S. tech company is currently going through a period of upheaval as Whitman takes over and the company yet to reach a decision on whether to sell off its PC business, in which it is currently the market leader.

In an earlier report, an analyst described the CEO replacement as "difficult but necessary" for HP. Krista Macomber, research analyst of computer and storage practice at Technology Business Research (TBR), said the company needs to now focus on reassuring its customers, partners and employees as well as regain their trust. Following that, the IT vendor needs to continue expanding its offerings, she added.