Microsoft (MSFT) Names Christopher Young as Business Development Head

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has announced that Christopher Young, formerly CEO of computer security software and services provider McAfee, has been named Executive Vice President of Business Development, reporting directly to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

"The next decade of economic growth will be defined by the digital investments made today. With Chris' leadership, the Business Development team will continue to be a key accelerant for our partnerships and new growth opportunities," Nadella stated in the announcement.

Young will lead global business development efforts at Microsoft. Included among his duties will be evaluating and implementing strategic partnerships, strategic alliances, venture investments, and joint ventures as means to accelerate growth at Microsoft, in part by getting access to promising new technologies being developed by other companies. "The pace of change in our world is accelerating, and technology-driven experiences that are more connected, interactive, and intelligent are the drivers," Young said. 

Young's Tenure at McAfee

Young served as CEO of McAfee from April 2017 to February 2020. McAfee had been acquired by Intel Corporation (INTC) in August 2010 but spun off in April 2017 as a standalone company jointly owned by Intel and TPG Capital.

Prior to the spinoff, Young had been Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Intel Security Group from October 2014 to April 2017, as McAfee was called while wholly owned by Intel. The McAfee name was restored during the spinoff.

Directorships

Young has been a director of Snap Inc. (SNAP) since October 2016 and a director of American Express Company (AXP) since April 2018. He previously was a director of cybersecurity company Rapid7, Inc. (RPD).

Earlier Executive Experience

Young also has held executive positions at, in reverse chronological order, Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO), VMware, Inc. (VMW), RSA Products, and the Safety & Security Services division of AOL. During his tenure there, RSA Products was the security division of EMC Corporation, which subsequently was acquired by Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL).

Prior to holding those posts, Young was co-founder and chief operating officer (COO) of Cyveillance, a cybersecurity company now owned by LookingGlass Cyber Solutions Inc. He earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.