Microsoft

Bill Gates

Bill H. Gates is chairman of Microsoft Corporation, the worldwide leader in software. Microsoft had revenues of US$44.28 billion for the fiscal year ending June 2006, and employs more than 71,000 people in 103 countries and regions. On June 15, 2006, Microsoft announced that effective July 2008 Gates will transition out of a day-to-day role in the company to spend more time on his global health and education work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. After July 2008 Gates will continue to serve as Microsoft’s chairman and an advisor on key development projects. In his junior year, Gates left Harvard University to devote his energies to Microsoft, a company he had begun in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen. Microsoft has invested $6.2 billion on research and development in the 2005 fiscal year. (why? find out more) ^[1]

Steven A. Ballmer is a Harvard graduate with a degree in mathemeatics and Economics and is now Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Corporation. Ballmer joined in 1980 and was the first business manager hired by Bill Gates. Former President, now CEO The company has seven business After college he worked at Procter and Gamble Co for two years. Beofore working for Microsoft he attended Stanford University Graduate School of Business. ^[2]

James I. Cash Jr., Ph.D.Dr. Cash received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Texas Christian University; a Master of Science in computer science from Purdue University's Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Purdue University's Krannert Graduate School of Management. He joined the Harvard Business School Faculty in 1976, and has taught in all the major HBS programs MBA, Program for Management Development (PMD), Program for Global Leadership (PGL), and Advanced Management Program (AMP). Among his administrative assignments he has served as chairman of the MBA Program from 1992 to 1995, during the schools project to redesign the MBA Program MBA: Leadership and Learning; and as Senior Associate Dean and Chairman of HBS Publishing from 1998 to 2003.

Dr. Cash's nonacademic activities include serving as a trustee or overseer for nonprofit organizations and on the board of directors for several public companies. He has worked with many companies and governments around the world in both consulting and teaching assignments. Before his graduate education and joining the Harvard Faculty, he worked as director of Data Processing for several years, which followed jobs as a systems analyst, systems programmer and application programmer. His research focused on the strategic use of information technology in the service sector.

Dr. Cash is currently running an invitation-only program for chief information officers of leading companies-designed to promote peer-to-peer exchange and learning, and exposure to leading thinkers from business, government and academia – titled The Cash Concours. He also designed and implemented a leadership development program for The Concours Group which targets senior managers in large information technology organizations.^[3]

Dina Dublon

Former Chief Financial Officer, JPMorgan Chase ==

Dina Dublon was, from December 1998 until her retirement in September 2004, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for JPMorgan Chase. Ms. Dublon was responsible for the global financial management and reporting, related technology and operations, strategy and acquisitions, corporate treasury, investor relations and tax. She was integral to the negotiation and implementation of the mergers of Chemical Bank with Manufacturers Hanover, Chase, JPMorgan, and Bank One. Ms. Dublon joined Chemical Bank's capital markets group as a trainee on the trading floor in 1981. From 1981 to 1996, Ms. Dublon held positions in capital markets, asset liability management and investment banking. She became Corporate Treasurer in 1994 and head of corporate planning in 1996. Prior to joining Chemical Bank, Ms. Dublon worked as a research associate for the Harvard Business School and as Regional Director, Securities Division at Bank Hapoalim in Israel. Ms. Dublon joined the Microsoft board on March 22, 2005. She also serves on the board of directors of Accenture, Ltd., and PepsiCo, Inc. She is a founding board member of Greenstone Media, and serves on the boards of Carnegie Mellon University, the Global Fund for Women and the Women's Commission for Refugee Women & Children.^[4]

==JerRaymond V. Gilmartin Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Merck & Co., Inc.==

Raymond V. Gilmartin is the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Merck & Co., Inc., a global research-driven pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets innovative vaccines and medicines. In July 2006, he joined the faculty at the Harvard Business School as Professor of Management Practice teaching in the MBA program. Mr. Gilmartin joined Merck as President and Chief Executive Officer in June 1994, was named to the additional position of Chairman of the Board in November 1994. He served in those capacities until May 2005 when he relinquished those titles as part of the succession planning process leading up to his planned retirement in April 2006. In the interim, he served as Special Advisor to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Prior to joining Merck, Mr. Gilmartin served as Chairman, President and CEO of Becton Dickinson, a global company that develops, manufactures and markets medical devices and diagnostic products. He joined that company in 1976 as vice president, strategic planning, and took on positions of increasing responsibility over the next eighteen years. Mr. Gilmartin serves on the board of General Mills, Inc. He is chairman of the Board of Directors of The United Negro College Fund and serves on the Board of Dean’s Advisors for the Harvard Business School. An active participant in health industry affairs worldwide, Mr. Gilmartin is a stakeholder in the Harvard Program for Health System Improvement, is a past chair of the Healthcare Leadership Council and was a board member of the Alliance for Healthcare Reform. In addition, he is a past chair of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and a past president of the International Federation of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations. Mr. Gilmartin also has been involved in global economic and trade issues that concern the pharmaceutical industry. He was a member of the President’s Export Council and is a past chair of the Council on Competitiveness. He was a member of the Transatlantic Business Dialogue and of the Trade and Poverty Forum, a project of the German Marshall Fund. Mr. Gilmartin received a BS in electrical engineering from Union College in 1963 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1968. usalem and a Masters degree from the Business School at Carnegie Mellon University.^[5]

==David F. Marquardt General Partner, August Capital==

Mr. Marquardt is a founding general partner of August Capital, a private venture capital firm in Menlo Park, California, organized in 1995. Mr. Marquardt entered the venture capital business in 1979 as an associate at Institutional Venture Associates (IVA). During his tenure at IVA, he led successful investments in Seagate, Archive and SpectraLogic (acquired by Seagate) and Stratus Computer. In 1980, Mr. Marquardt became a founding partner in Technology Venture Investors, four highly successful venture funds that invested in more than 100 start-up and emerging growth companies. During his venture career, Mr. Marquardt has led investments in more than 35 companies, serving on 20 boards of directors. In addition to the companies mentioned above, his venture successes include Adaptec, Auspex, Grand Junction Networks (acquired by Cisco), Linear Technology, Microsoft (where Dave was the sole venture investor) and Sun Microsystems.^[6]

==Charles H. Noski Former Vice Chairman, AT&T Corporation==

From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Noski served as senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of AT&TCorporation and was named vice chairman of AT&T's Board of Directors in February 2002. He retired from AT&T upon the completion of its restructuring in November 2002. From December 2003 to March 2005, Mr. Noski served as Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Northrop Grumman Corporation, and was a director from November 2002 to May 2005. Prior to joining AT&T, Mr. Noski was president, chief operating officer, and a member of the Board of Directors of Hughes Electronics Corporation, a publicly-traded subsidiary of General Motors Corporation in the satellite and wireless communications business. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Financial Executives International, and is a past member of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council. Mr. Noski also serves as a director of the Los Angeles County Music Center and the California State University, Northridge Foundation. Mr. Noski joined the Microsoft Board on November 11, 2003. He also serves on the boards of directors of Air Products & Chemicals, Inc., and Morgan Stanley.^[7]

==Dr. Helmut Panke Former Chairman of the Board of Management, BMW AG== Dr. Panke joined the Microsoft Board as a nonexecutive director on November 11, 2003. He also serves on the board of directors of UBS AG, Switzerland. Dr. Panke has been with BMW Bayerische Motoren Werke AG since 1982 in a variety of positions and, from May 2002 through August 2006, served as Chairman of the Board of Management. From 1999 to 2002, he served as Member of the Board of Management for Finance. From 1996 to 1999, Dr. Panke was Member of the Board of Management for Human Resources and Information Technology. In his role as Chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp. from 1993 to 1996 he was responsible for the company's North American activities. ^[8]

==Jon A. Shirley Former President and Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft Corporation==

Jon A. Shirley was born in San Diego in 1938, graduated from The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and then attended MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was with Tandy Corporation for 25 years in many positions, last as vice president Computer Merchandising when he left in 1983 to move to Seattle and become president, chief operating officer and a director of Microsoft Corporation. He retired from Microsoft in 1990 but remains a director. He is also a director of Manzanita Capital, a private financial services company in Seattle.^[9]

Microsoft Appoints New Head Of Scotland

UK Executives

==Gordon Frazer Managing Director Microsoft Ltd==

Gordon Frazer is Managing Director at Microsoft Limited in the UK and was appointed to this role in July 2006. Prior to this appointment he spent four years as Managing Director for Microsoft South Africa. He is a member of the Microsoft International Leadership Team and also sits on the industry board of e-Skills UK.

During his long career at Microsoft Gordon has held many key roles. Before becoming Managing Director for South Africa he was responsible for the Enterprise and Partner Group, focusing on Microsoft’s largest customers and partners in the country. Prior to this, he was head of the Business Solutions Group, working with Microsoft partners to develop and deliver line of business applications to organizations. Gordon joined Microsoft in November 1995 in a marketing role, where he concentrated on intellectual property and software licensing issues.

Outside Microsoft he has held various positions including Chairman of the Business Software Alliance, President of the Information Technology Association and was also a trustee for the World Wildlife Fund.

Before joining Microsoft, Gordon was Technical Director at a software development company and had previously worked in financial services and the mining industry. Gordon holds a Bachelors degree from Rhodes University.^[10]

Neil Thompson

Senior Regional Director, Northern Europe, Entertainment & Devices Division, Microsoft Corporation

Neil Thompson has overall responsibility for Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division in Northern Europe (UK, Ireland & Nordics). His responsibilities include the sales and marketing of all of Microsoft's products sold through retail which include gaming products (Xbox 360, Xbox, Xbox Live, Xbox accessories, Xbox games and PC games), PC software products (Office, Windows, Encarta, Works, Digital Imaging, Student etc), PC peripherals (Mice and Keyboards) and products produced for Mac (primarily Mac Office).

Thompson previously held the same role for Central & Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Greece, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa). Prior to this, Thompson held a variety of marketing management roles at Microsoft, including Director of Marketing at Xbox Europe, Head of Image & Communications at Microsoft EMEA and Head of Relationship Marketing at Microsoft UK.

Prior to joining Microsoft, Thompson was Direct Marketing Manager for Stena AB/Sealink.

Thompson holds a degree in Economics from Loughborough University. ^[11]

Nick Barley

Chief Marketing Officer, Microsoft Ltd

Nick Barley is the Chief Marketing Officer at Microsoft Ltd. Nick joined Microsoft in 2002 and has held various executive level business and marketing roles. Nick's remit is to provide a central marketing powerhouse and to drive Microsoft’s relationship marketing programme in the UK. He is also responsible for Microsoft's branding, image and corporate social responsibility activities in the UK.

Prior to joining Microsoft, Nick was Vice President and Director of Marketing for Oracle UK and Ireland. He has also held senior sales, marketing and consulting positions within Bull Information Systems, Digital Equipment Co., Management Science America and Hewlett Packard

Nick has over 21 years' experience in the information technology industry. His experience spans UK, European and US markets as well as multiple market sectors, both public and private. Nick has a Bachelor of Arts honours (BA Hons) degree in Economics, and a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Economic and Regional Planning from the University of Reading.^[12]

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. ^[13]

Steve Dunn

Finance Director, Microsoft Ltd

Since joining Microsoft in 1997, Steve has worked in a number of roles including financial analyst and the Controller of Microsoft New Zealand, where Steve was responsible for all financial operations of Microsoft’s New Zealand subsidiary.

Steve returned to the United States in 2000 to be the US West Region Controller. Steve’s role was to manage five analysts aligned with the US West Region sales organisation.

In 2002, Steve became Microsoft US EPG Controller, whereby he directly managed a team of 60 controllers and analysts that align with the MSUS EPG Sales and Services organisations.

Steve has an undergraduate degree from Lehigh University and an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University. Prior to joining Microsoft he worked for Ernst & Young LLP in their financial audit group.^[14]

Scott Dodds

General Manager of Small, Medium Enterprises & Partners Group

Scott Dodds was appointed General Manager of SMS&P (Small, Medium Enterprises & Partners Group) for Microsoft UK on 1 January 2007.

The SME and Partner group focuses on Microsoft's small and medium-sized customers and strives to improve the way that Microsoft and its partners engage with this sector. This involves the delivery of first-class sales, marketing and services programmes and drives partner education and support schemes to ensure the best possible customer experience. Scott’s initial focus within SMS&P for FY07 will include driving double-digit growth for the company through working closely with our partners, propelling Microsoft to lead the mid market in the UK and cultivating a more competitive spirit among employees.

Previously, Scott ran the company’s OEM UK and Northern European divisions, since joining Microsoft three years ago in November 2003. He has made a strong impact both internally and externally, utilising his skills and experience to increase customer satisfaction levels in a challenging environment.

Scott has 20 years broad experience in engineering, sales and management. Scott joined Microsoft from Acer, where he was Managing Director of Acer UK & Ireland and on the European Management team for Acer EMEA. Prior to this, Scott worked seven years for Compaq UK in various management roles – latterly as General Manager of UK Channels, responsible for all of Compaq’s direct and indirect partner teams. ^[15]

Andy Watson

Senior Director of Enterprise Services, Microsoft Ltd

As Group Director of Microsoft Services in the UK, Andy's area of responsibility is the delivery of high quality consulting and support services to the Enterprise Sector. Ultimately he is responsible for the transfer of knowledge to customers and partners in order to accelerate the adoption, deployment, and long-term acceptance of Microsoft products, technologies, and solutions that drive significant business value and satisfaction.

Andy brings to the role experience gained as the Director of Microsoft Technology and Solution Consulting Services in the UK, providing high-level IT management and technical consulting to Microsoft's largest customers and strategic partners. Prior to this he was Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft UK and Group manager of Technology Consulting and Systems Engineering (pre-sales technical field staff). He was appointed to the role of Group Director in May 2002.

Andy has been with Microsoft for 4 years. Prior to this he spent 18 years with IBM in a variety of consulting and management roles. His earliest career steps were taken with Coopers and Lybrand and British Aerospace. Andy graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Electrical Sciences. He is a Chartered Engineer.^[16]

Matthew Bishop

Business & Marketing Officer, Microsoft Ltd

Matthew is responsible for the success of five of the company's commercial business groups, as well as the Marketing and Corporate Affairs organisation in the UK. His remit covers orchestrating the direction and success of the sales, marketing and services resources in each of the business groups, as well as leading the marketing teams responsible for promoting the company's commercial products and services.

Prior to this role, Matthew has worked as Senior Director, Developer Platform Evangelism (DPE) and Senior Director of Government (EMEA regions). Before this, Matthew was Director of Government Sales & Solutions (EMEA regions) where he increased business in local and regional Government and created a successful European Government Leaders Forum.

Matthew first joined Microsoft in December 1998 to become a Strategy Consultant, working with Enterprise customers and partners. In 2000, Matthew became Government Services Practice Manager which included working on the Government Gateway and New Tax Credits projects. Matthew then became Director of Customer Experience within the Services team.

Prior to joining Microsoft, Matthew was a civil servant in the UK Government Cabinet Office, where his team advised ministers on e-government goals for electronic service delivery and produced the first e-government Green Paper in Europe.^[17]

Tery Smith

General Manager, Public Sector, Microsoft Ltd

Terry Smith is responsible for the strategic direction of Microsoft’s Public Sector business in the UK. He leads sales, marketing and services teams which address the healthcare, central and local government, defence, education, police and criminal justice sectors.

Terry has worked at Microsoft since July 1995 and has managed a number of partner & customer groups in that time, spanning independent software vendors (ISVs), SI’s, web developers as well as enterprise & corporate customers. Whilst heading the Public Sector business at Microsoft Ltd, Terry has been responsible for some of the world’s largest IT projects, notably the provision of the UK Digital Curriculum in partnership with the BBC as well as major innovative projects with the NHS, Inland Revenue, MOD and a number of local authorities.

Terry has led his team in fundamentally altering the relationships Microsoft has with UK Government. The aim has been to become a strategic partner with Government organisations (such as the MOD, FCO, and London Borough of Newham) in their efforts to make Britain a better place in which to live, learn and do business. Terry has also been instrumental in building strategic relationships with organisations such as Accenture and CAP and ensuring that Microsoft is a key partner for specialist companies in the UK.

Prior to his current role, Terry was Head of the Internet Business Group focussing sales and marketing efforts targeting DotComs, Marketplaces & ASP’s. With 25 years experience in the IT industry, immediately prior to Microsoft Terry worked as Sales Director for the largest UK Healthcare ISV – ACT Medisys.

Born in the North West, Terry started his career at Unisys where he spent 12 years in a number of sales & management positions, working with major customers such as Pilkingtons, ICI & Bass. ^[18]

Chris Parker

Senior Director, Law and Corporate Affairs, Microsoft Ltd

Chris leads the Law and Corporate Affairs team in the UK.

He has significant legal and corporate affairs experience in the information technology industry. Prior to joining Microsoft, Chris was Senior Counsel for Apple Europe and Legal & Government Affairs Director at Compaq. He also spent more than 17 years at Digital Equipment Co. Ltd (DEC) in various legal roles.

His main areas of expertise are IT licensing, Intellectual Property and competition law. He has been involved in a number of competition investigations, by both UK and EU authorities and was instrumental in settling the European Commission's investigation into DEC in 1997 (the Digital Undertaking).

Chris is an English barrister and holds a law degree from the University of Hull. ^[19]

Alison Dodd

Senior Director, OEM, Microsoft Ltd

Bronwyn Kunhardt

Head of Corporate Reputation and Diversity, Microsoft Ltd

Bronwyn Kunhardt is a member of Microsoft's leadership team in the UK. As head of Corporate Reputation and Diversity, she is briefed to create and drive policy within Microsoft in these critical areas and to allocate the necessary resources to ensure that the organisation maintains its leadership position in the industry.

In fulfilling her role, Bronwyn develops and evangelises the innovative policies adopted by Microsoft to promote increased diversity within its organisation. She also works collaboratively with its stakeholders and partners, including pressure groups, political parties and government to lead new thinking and policy in this area.

Bronwyn has been with Microsoft for ten years. Before taking up her new role in January 2005, she headed the Image and Reputation team at MSN UK, focused on building understanding of issues such as child safety, work life balance. She was also responsible for managing MSN's Citizenship, Community Affairs, and Consumer Research programmes.

While in this role, she spearheaded an award winning employment package which has led to 80% of the workforce, including all of the leadership team, starting to work flexibly.

Bronwyn holds a Masters Degree in Social Anthropology and Development from the School of African and Oriental Studies in London. ^[20]

David Gartenberg

HR Director, Microsoft Ltd

Dave Gartenberg was appointed HR Director of Microsoft Ltd in July 2005 to oversee the People, Organisation and Culture strategies for the whole of the UK.

Dave first joined Microsoft in the US in January 2001, as Senior HR Manager within the US Eastern region where he was responsible for 1,200 employees located across five sales districts.

Dave’s next role from September 2002 was as HR Director in the US Corporate Business team, where he led the HR team focused on the newly formed 3,000 person Operations and Technology Group (OTG).

Prior to joining Microsoft, Dave spent more than seven years with Rohm and Haas, a $6B global specialty chemicals manufacturer. He started off as an Internal Consultant in their Leadership and Organization Effectiveness group, and then worked his way though a variety of client focused HR roles, finishing up as the HR Director for the Office of Technology, responsible for the technology backbone of the company (Research, Manufacturing, Engineering and Corporate Development functions).

Dave earned his undergraduate degree in Economics at George Washington University, Washington DC and spent three years as an Economic analyst working for a consulting firm that was focused on Mergers and Acquisitions. Dave then returned to university and gained an MBA in Organisational Behaviour and Development, where he was offered a Fellowship and taught undergraduate Management Science classes. ^[21]

Raymond O'Hare Regional Director in Scotland

Raymond O'Hare was appointed as regional director for Scotland in Novemebr. O'Hare was previously regional manager Scotland, Microsoft Small, Mid-market Solutions and Partners. He joined Microsoft in 1997.

OHare is responsible for maintaining the successful business addressing the SME community in Scotland and working with enterprise customers and partners to develop solutions based on Microsoft technologies that allow them to realise their business potential.

Partners remain a key focus for OHare and he will continue to develop the local partner network to service the requirements of all Scottish businesses. O'Hare has very strong existing relationships with the Scottish Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, ICAS, Law Society and Scottish Enterprise.

As O'Hare explained. "We have had a very positive year in Scotland. My new role will allow me to build on the relationships I have developed with key influencers, partners and customers and expand this work to cover all our Scottish business. I am very pleased with what we have achieved and am looking forward to establishing a strong Microsoft presence in Scotland."

Alistair Baker, managing director, Microsoft UK, said: "Raymond has been invaluable in cementing our presence in Scotland. His excellent work with the SME community and strong relationships with key influencers, combined with his considerable experience, made him the obvious choice for the role."

Microsoft's Edinburgh-based Scottish office opened in 1994 and has grown from one person to a 40-strong team, the majority of which are part of the sales and services organisations.

OHare joined Microsoft in 1997 and under his leadership, the UK retail banking and Scotland Services organisations have grown into a 12million + business.

Prior to joining Microsoft O'Hare worked for Royal Bank of Scotland and built a number of businesses from their early stages, including a financial services sales division for ICL in Dublin and a substantial multi-vendor services business for Digital in Scotland. ^[22]

Microsoft Governement Leaders Forum

The annual forum brings together Prime Ministers, Ministers, EU Commissioners and policy advisers from across Europe, marking one of the most senior gatherings of European leaders Scotland has seen.

The Government Leaders’ Forum Europe is one of Microsoft’s flagship events for government, parliamentarians, education and business leaders across the continent and is being supported by a partnership of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive.

The event provides a forum to formulate successful strategies in key areas relating to connected government, digital learning, employability skills and the transition to the knowledge economy. This year will reflect a number of Scotland’s experiences as the host country

Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, George Reid MSP said:

“Our Parliament is committed to the widest possible engagement with the people, one important element in this being the use of technology. From my attendance at this year’s forum in Lisbon, it is clear that the Scottish experience has much to share with the political institutions of Europe.

“This conference provides an opportunity to debate key issues of engagement and economic development which affect citizens and states across Europe.

“I look forward to welcoming the Microsoft Government Leaders’ Forum. Once again, Holyrood will provide the stage that puts Scotland at the heart of international debate.”

The President of Microsoft International, Jean-Philippe Courtois said:

“The Scottish Parliament offers a unique setting to hold a very interactive and participative Government Leaders’ Forum. This event offers an excellent opportunity to bring together top policy makers and industry leaders from across the continent to facilitate a discussion around the impact of ICT on parliaments and their citizens. Microsoft is grateful to both the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive for their support and cooperation in bringing the GLF to Edinburgh.” ^[23]

Microsoft Government Leaders Forum Bill gates accompanied Jack Mc Connell in a press statemetn highlighting the philanthropic work both the Microsoft Corporation and the Scottish Executive will undertake in helping young Scots achieve. The signed agreement aims to train 100,000 Scots in computer skills ^[24] The project is aimed at those not in education, employment or training (NEET)

Microsoft says Scottish NHS must curb IT spend ^[25]

Notes

1. ^ Microsoft website Board of Directorsaccessed 30/01/07
2. ^ Microsoft website Board of Directorsaccessed 30/01/07
3. ^ Microsoft website, Board of Directors
4. ^ Microsoft website, Board of Directors
5. ^Microsoft website, Board of Directors
6. ^ Microsoft website, Board of Directors
7. ^ Microsoft website, Board of Directors
8. ^Microsoft website, Board of Directors
9. ^Scottish Parliament to host the UK’s first Microsoft Government Leaders’ Forum | 20 September 2006.[26]
10. ^Scottish Parliament to host the UK’s first Microsoft Government Leaders’ Forum | 20 September 2006.[27]Microsoft UK Press Center Raymond O'Hareaccessed 18/02/07
11. ^ Scottish Parliament to host the UK’s first Microsoft Government Leaders’ Forum | 20 September 2006.[28]Microsoft UK Press Center Raymond O'Hareaccessed 18/02/07
12. ^ Lucy Sherriff Microsoft says Scottish NHS must curb IT spend: Unusual advice from a vendor The Register, Published Wednesday 5th January 2005 13:25 GMT
13. ^Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/07
14. ^Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/07
15. ^ Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/07
16. ^Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/07
17. ^ Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/07
18. ^ Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/07
19. ^Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/07
20. ^Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/0721/02/07
21. ^Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/07

^Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/07 ^Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/07 ^Microsoft Website Uk executives accessed 21/02/07