The Léo Way
After a turbulent time, HP hires a surprising new boss
By L.S. and M.G. | LONDON AND SAN FRANCISCO
THE ENGLISH translation for the German word “Apotheker” is “pharmacist”. Hewlett-Packard (HP) will no doubt be hoping that its new chief executive, Léo Apotheker, who was unveiled on September 30th, can help heal some of the wounds caused by the abrupt departure of his predecessor, Mark Hurd. There had been much speculation that HP's board would replace Mr Hurd, who left in August following a fuss over ethical lapses, with an insider. But in the event it has chosen to put its faith in an outsider from Germany who used to run that country's software behemoth, SAP.
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