Oct 21, 2019 - Technology

Google hires Microsoft veteran to run G Suite

Ina Fried
G suite

Photo: Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

In its bid to take on Microsoft Office, Google has hired someone who knows the product well: former Outlook boss Javier Soltero.

Why it matters: Google and Microsoft are in a tough battle to win the hearts, minds and email accounts of business customers. While G Suite has gained share, especially for email, Microsoft has pivoted Office from a desktop software to a subscription service.

Details: Soltero, who will run the consumer and business sides of G Suite, will report to Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian.

  • Soltero's most recent assignment — before he left Microsoft last November — was running Cortana.
  • Soltero joined Microsoft in 2014 when it bought his startup, Acompli, which Microsoft turned into the mobile version of Outlook.

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