New boss for Microsoft UK

Alistair Baker is moving to a new role, and his replacement hails from Microsoft South Africa

Microsoft has appointed a new managing director for its UK business, Gordon Frazer.

Frazer was previously general manager of Microsoft South Africa, where he was responsible for "effectively" doubling business in that country, according to the software giant.

Irish-born Frazer, who has been with the company since 1995, takes up the post from departing UK managing director Alistair Baker on 31 July, 2006.

Baker, who headed up the UK for more than two years, is moving on to an as-yet-undisclosed position within Microsoft.

Frazer said in a statement: "It is a great privilege and opportunity to be part of one of the key subsidiaries of Microsoft internationally, and I view the task of being custodian of such a winning business as a great responsibility."