Microsoft replaces Windows Phone chief

Microsoft has replaced the head of the firm’s Windows Phone business with former boss Andy Lees moving to a new role created by CEO Steve Ballmer.

While there’s been considerably speculation as to whether the move amounts to a demotion based on the less than stellar performance of Windows Phone in the market, Ballmer’s note to staff provided few clues.

AllThingsD quoted an internal Microsoft memo in which Ballmer said: "I have asked Andy Lees to move to a new role working for me on a time-critical opportunity focused on driving maximum impact in 2012 with Windows Phone and Windows 8."

Taking over is corporate veep Terry Myerson who oversaw the technical development of Windows Phone 7. Myerson will also manage the marketing of the platform and so far, it would seem, he has his work cut out for him.

Gartner reported that Windows Phone had captured just 1.5 per cent of the worldwide market although that predates the arrival of Nokia’s Windows Phone-powered Lumia handsets.