After six years in the job, Microsoft Ireland’s managing director Joe Macri has been promoted to lead Microsoft’s business and marketing operations at the company’s western Europe headquarters. The new managing director for Ireland will be Paul Rellis.
Rellis was previously the managing director of Microsoft’s EMEA Operations Centre in Sandyford.
His roles included overseeing Microsoft’s channel partners, supply chain, finance and order management across 131 countries. He also previously held the role of finance director for Microsoft’s operations in EMEA and Asia-Pacific.
Rellis will be responsible for Microsoft’s business in Ireland as well as all strategic issues including policy and communications. Moreover, he will assume the presidency of the American Chamber of Commerce of Ireland from January next.
Macri, who became synonymous in his role with all things Microsoft as well as speaking out strongly on issues such as national productivity and costs, was also on bodies such as the National Executive of IBEC, the board of ICT Ireland and the board of the Irish Management Institute (IMI).
He also served as chairman of the Small Business Forum and has been a serving board member of the Health Service Executive.
Under his leadership, Microsoft developed the National Productivity Centre in partnership with the IMI, which helps management teams to understand ways of increasing organisational productivity.
In his new role he will be responsible for Microsoft’s business and marketing activities in 12 countries, including Ireland. He will continue to be based at the company’s Sandyford operation.
“Today’s appointments strengthen our overall team in the western European region,” said Pierre Liautaud, vice-president of western Europe at Microsoft.
“From a regional perspective, Joe brings significant skills and expertise from his successes in Ireland to Microsoft’s business in western Europe. I look forward to him leveraging this experience for the benefit of multiple markets rather than just one.
“I am delighted to have someone with Paul’s calibre assume the helm at Microsoft Ireland. The insight and understanding of Microsoft’s business that he brings from his operational experience will be invaluable in our efforts to continue to enhance our customer and partner experience,” Liautaud added.
By John Kennedy
