From the frying pan, into the fire: HP Services veteran Craig Wilson is off

Former HP Enterprise Services UK chief Craig Wilson is to take control at London-listed software and BPO provider Xchanging from the start of next year.

For the past 11 or so months, Wilson – who was replaced at HP ES by Jacqui Ferguson, one-time chief of staff for CEO Meg Whitman – was veep of corporate restructuring to prepare for HP’s big split.

He is to fill the void that will be left by current Xchanging boss Ken Lever, who confirmed in July he is to step down after the business swung to a £44.4m pre-tax loss in the six months to June.

Enter Xchanging chairman Geoff Unwin, who extended the traditional greeting to his new recruit, talking up Wilson’s potential to “exploit growth potential” in a portfolio that includes SaaS, Procurement-as-a-Service, spend analytics and outsourcing services.

In the half-year numbers, Xchanging reported revenue of £199.4m, down from £205.1m in the prior year period. The £5.3m operating loss was made worse by a goodwill impairment charge.

Wilson has his work cut out, but the same is true of his current employer HP, who last night revealed it is to axe up to 30,000 people from the Enterprise division and offshore ES roles to lower cost areas. ®