Microsoft appoints new MD for Malaysia

• Carlos Lacerda has been named managing director for Microsoft Malaysia
• Ananth Lazarus takes on new role as partner sales lead for the Asia Pacific region

Microsoft has announced Carlos Lacerda (pic) as its new managing director for Malaysia, succeeding Ananth Lazarus, who is taking on a new role as partner sales lead for the Asia Pacific region.
 
Lacerda will be charged with leading the company’s effort to chart business, innovation and thought leadership to positively transform Malaysian education, businesses and lives. He will assume his responsibilities upon completion of the necessary work authorization processes
 
“I am thrilled to join the Microsoft Malaysia family. This couldn’t be a better year to come on board, especially with this year being the 20th anniversary of Microsoft’s commitment to Malaysia as well as a tremendous year of innovation for the company. I look forward to working with the rest of the team in bringing to life our pledge of ‘Transforming Malaysia Together’ and taking Microsoft Malaysia forward into the next phase of our history,” said Lacerda.
 
Commenting on Lacerda’s appointment, Microsoft APAC president Tracey Fellows said: “I see in Carlos a blend of great leadership, an ability to learn new industries and manage change in challenging economic conditions. He joins an already diverse and dynamic management team in Malaysia, and I have full confidence in his leadership of the team towards a stronger growth trajectory.”
 
Outgoing managing director for Microsoft Malaysia, Lazarus, will move on to lead the company’s Partner Sales function in the Asia Pacific region, based in Singapore.
 
Commenting on his time with Microsoft Malaysia, Lazarus (pic) said the role “was in many ways very rewarding for me personally.”
 
“Having spent about six years here, leading Microsoft Malaysia became more than a job: I have had the pleasure of seeing Malaysia leverage technology to transform itself into a leading nation today,” he said.

In his new role, Lazarus will be responsible for the region’s partner strategy to grow share, platform adoption and readiness. He will also be accountable for joint field pipeline engagement, helping Microsoft’s partners across the region in various.
 
“I have been tasked to further influence an important part of Microsoft’s business which I’m very passionate about. I am looking forward to leading a part of the businesses that has grown in complexity and opportunity over the last few years. Even so, while I am excited to be given this opportunity, Malaysia will continue to stay very close to my heart,” he said.
 
Commenting on Lazarus’ appointment to his regional role, Fellows said: “Through Ananth’s leadership, Microsoft Malaysia has grown its business in the last three years with a positive impact across education, businesses and lives”

"This is an encouraging feat considering the opportunities and growth of the market as well as the very competitive nature of our business. He has successfully led the effort to attract top notch talent, while having a relentless focus on addressing customer and partner needs. I am very pleased to see him take on this new and expanded role," she added.