GM Hires CFO from Microsoft
By Michelle Krebs December 21, 2009General Motors announced Monday it has hired as its new CFO Chris Liddell, most recently 
CFO for Microsoft Corp.
"Chris brings a depth and experience to this job that were unmatched in our search for a new financial leader," Ed Whitacre, GM chairman and CEO, said in a statement.
"Chris will lead our financial and accounting operations on a global basis and will report directly to me," Whitacre added. We're also looking to his experience and insights in corporate strategy as a member of the senior leadership team in helping our restructuring efforts."
GM has been searching in recent months for a new CFO after members of President Obama's Automotive Task Force, notably Steve Rattner, said GM's financial controls were lax.
GM CFO Ray Young will move to Shanghai as CFO for GM's international operations.
Liddell start with GM in the new year, GM said. While at Microsoft, Liddell was responsible for leading Microsoft's worldwide finance organization, which included overseeing acquisitions, corporate strategy, treasury activities, tax planning, accounting and reporting, internal audit, and investor relations. He is leaving Microsoft on December 31 of this year.
Before joining Microsoft in 2005, Liddell was CFO at International Paper Co., the world's largest forest products company, with similar responsibilities. Prior to that, he was CEO of Carter Holt Harvey Ltd., then New Zealand's second-largest listed company. He also has worked as an investment banker as managing director and joint CEO for CS First Boston NZ Ltd.
Liddell, 51, holds an engineering degree with honors from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and a Master of Philosophy degree from Oxford University in England. He has served as director of the New Zealand Rugby Union and governor of the New Zealand Sports Foundation. He is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Auckland. Liddell was a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Advisory Committee on Improvements to Financial Reporting.
LEAVE A COMMENT
Congradulations to Chris Liddell newly named CFO of Global Operations replacing Ray Young, whom is moving to CFO of International Operations. No word yet on the CFO of World Operations or the CFO of Earth Operations; but the Department Of Redundancy Department is looking into it. Hope all goes well for you after your eight day probationary period, Mr.Liddell.
ADD A COMMENT