Lenovo poaches fourth Dell executive in eight days

BEIJING: Chinese computer giant Lenovo has recruited a fourth executive of Dell, the world's largest personal computer maker, in just eight days, heightening rivalry between the two companies.

Christopher J Askew, former vice president of Dell, joined Lenovo as senior vice president in charge of the service department. Before joining in Lenovo, Askew was in charge of Dell's service in Asia-Pacific region and Japan.

Lenovo said on August 17 that former president of Dell in China, David Miller had joined as president of its Asia Pacific operations. Miller, also senior vice president of Lenovo, will be based in Singapore.

The company has also named Sotaro Amanoas president of Lenovo, Japan. He was formerly corporate director of Dell's home and business sales division in Japan.

On August 21, Lenovo, which had acquired the personal computer business of IBM, announced that former Dell senior vice president David Schmoock had joined as senior vice president in charge of a new centre of excellence on market evaluation and strategy. Before taking the position, David Schmoock was in charge of Dell's marketing in Asia-Pacific and Japan.

The participation of the four senior executives is considered a strong move by Lenovo CEO William Amelio to strengthen the company's business in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Lenovo appointed Amelio as CEO to replace Stephen Ward last December, the latter being in the position for only eight months, reports said.

Lenovo announced recently that in the first half, its sales reached 3.5 billion US dollars, up 38 per cent from the same period of last year.