Lenovo today announced a change in senior leadership. Liu Jun, Executive Vice President of Lenovo Mobile Business Group and Chairman of the Motorola Mobility management board, will become a special consultant to the CEO on mobile business and strategy for a certain period of time. Further details are not being disclosed at this time. He will leave with our greatest respect and gratitude for his long, productive and successful service to Lenovo.
Chen Xudong, who has proven his ability to create a leader in China and has demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by becoming leader of our Internet-focused ShenQi spinoff, will become the new leader of MBG and also Chairman of Motorola Mobility.
Liu Jun built our mobile business beginning 4 years ago. Under his leadership, Lenovo became the world’s number 3 smartphone and tablet player, and completed our acquisition of Motorola Mobility. Liu Jun has created momentum for the Lenovo brand in emerging markets, and he successfully led us to close the Motorola Mobility deal. Liu Jun has helped diversify Lenovo’s business overall and has built a strong foundation.
This year the company reported that mobile revenue has grown from 12% to 25% of revenue, year-to-year. Additionally, with Motorola, we are now in more than 60 markets worldwide, making us a truly global smartphone company. Lenovo’s total smartphone business with Motorola grew 450% outside of China in FY14/15, and accounts for 41% of shipments vs. 11% a year ago. Even Lenovo Legacy Phone saw strong growth outside of China (126% YTY) in FY14/15.
Chen Xudong, 47, joined Lenovo in 1993. Before his ShenQi role, he served as President of China for five years – leading Lenovo China PC market share from 26 to 36% with profit doubled, and successfully pioneering the Lenovo China internet transformation. At the beginning of Lenovo’s globalization, Xudong lived in Singapore to manage the AP Transactional Model business, and last year he led the APEM Geo in addition to China, and therefore accumulated rich experience in global business and cross-cultural management. Most recently, he proved his entrepreneurship by taking on the role of CEO of ShenQi.
Xudong will become Co-Chairman of ShenQi with George He. Edward Chang, currently Vice President of ShenQi, will become the CEO of ShenQi. He has deep insights in product development, ecosystem and internet business model.
Lenovo has no further statements on this change at this time.
