Panos Panay, a top product executive at Microsoft, is leaving the company after nearly 20 years, including a recent stint as chief product officer responsible for the launch of the Surface line of computers and Windows 11. Panay’s departure was announced in a staff memo on Monday. According to the memo, Panay will be stepping down from his role, and Yusuf Mehdi, another longtime executive, will take the lead on the Windows and Surface businesses and products. The memo states that Panay will assist with the transition.
Panay’s tenure at Microsoft has been marked by significant successes, including the creation of the iconic Surface brand with its loved products. Under his leadership, the company has seen a significant growth in its computing division, driven largely by the popularity of the Surface line. The Surface Pro, for example, has become one of the company’s most successful products, praised for its portability, functionality, and sleek design.
As chief product officer, Panay oversaw the development and launch of Windows 11, the latest operating system from Microsoft. The new OS has received positive reviews for its improved user interface, enhanced security features, and seamless integration with Microsoft’s suite of productivity applications. Panay’s work on Windows 11 is seen as a major milestone in the company’s efforts to reinvent itself as a mobile-first, cloud-first company.
Microsoft’s executive vice president of experiences and devices group, Rajesh Jha, praised Panay’s leadership and dedication to the company in a statement. “Under Panos’ leadership, the team created the iconic Surface brand with loved products,” Jha said. “We are grateful for his contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Panos Panay (Via Panos Panay/Twitter)
With Panay’s departure, Mehdi will take the reins of the Windows and Surface businesses and products. Mehdi, a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience at Microsoft, has played a key role in the company’s efforts to revamp its computing division. As the new leader of the business, Mehdi is expected to build on Panay’s successes and drive continued growth and innovation in the area.
Microsoft’s decision to promote Mehdi to lead the Windows and Surface businesses and products suggests that the company is placing significant faith in his ability to drive the division forward. With Panay’s guidance during the transition, the company is likely to experience a seamless handover of leadership and continued momentum in the market.
