Tech

Microsoft’s chief product officer to step down

Panos Panay’s departure marks significant blow to tech giant’s hardware department

Panos Panay: Outgoing chief product officer was central to Microsoft’s hardware efforts in his role leading the Surface computer division and most recently heading the Windows unit. Picture: Getty

Microsoft has announced the departure of its chief product officer, a significant blow to the company’s hardware and Windows divisions.

Panos Panay will stay long enough to help his replacements transition into the role, Rajesh Jha, executive vice president of the experiences and devices group, announced in an email to employees on Monday.

Panay, who had been with Microsoft since 2004, was central to the company’s hardware efforts in his role leading the Surface computer ...