Sharon Baylay

General Manager, Microsoft Online Services Group, UK

Sharon Baylay is General Manager, Microsoft Online Services Group in the UK, where she has overall responsibility for running the Windows Live and MSN businesses which form part of the newly formed Online Services Group for Microsoft UK. In her role, Sharon will lead the next chapter in the development and revenue growth of the UK business.

Sharon takes up the post having spent the last three years running the MSN business in Asia Pacific, Greater China and the Americas where she was responsible for overseeing business development in these countries, as well as implementing investment strategies for emerging markets to help extend MSN’s lead in global reach.

In her previous role as Regional Director of MSN EMEA, Sharon was responsible for building the MSN brand into the number one web destination for consumers in Europe, Middle East and Africa and for the last ten years she has worked at the leading edge of new technology in developing and emerging markets. Many of her experiences are related to how information technology is becoming a significant enabler of the economies and people in these countries.

Sharon learnt her skills managing the growth of emerging markets from 1996 when she worked as a regional manager for Africa, Mediterranean and Middle East region specifically running Microsoft’s Anti-Piracy and Internet Security team. In 1998, she moved to become marketing manager for a Microsoft team dedicated to bringing enhanced television to the UK. This involved a major collaboration between a number of partners including BBC, BT and Pace Technology plc and led to the first major trial of interactive television content and delivery to homes in the UK.

Before joining Microsoft, Sharon worked in the PC and PC Services Industry for Olivetti and was an Accredited IBM, Apple and Compaq Systems Sales Manager.

Sharon is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and has travelled the world extensively in her roles at Microsoft. ^[1]