Xbox Leaders Robbie Bach, J Allard Leaving Microsoft

Microsoft on Tuesday confirmed that Entertainment & Devices Division president Robbie Bach will be retiring from the company this fall, while former Xbox executive J Allard is also leaving the company. The E&D division houses the profitable Xbox business as well as Windows Phone and the Zune mobile media player. In April, the segment reported profits of $165 million on revenues of $1.67 billion for Microsoft’s fiscal third quarter. Microsoft’s Tuesday announcement confirmed reports earlier this week of a shake-up within the division. SVP Don Mattrick will continue to lead the company’s Interactive Entertainment Business while SVP Andy Lees will continue to lead the mobile business. Microsoft’s statement said the execs' continuing work in their respective areas “Underscor[es] the strength of the leadership teams in place” in those businesses. Both will report directly to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, effective July 1. Bach was with Microsoft for 22 years. Ballmer said in a statement that Bach’s departure is “a point of sadness for me. However, given the strong leadership team he has built, the business performance of E&D this year and the launches of Windows Phone 7 and ‘Project Natal’ this fall, we are set up well for success as we continue to drive our mobile and entertainment businesses forward.” Bach helped with the launch of major Microsoft products including Office, Xbox, Xbox Live, Halo, Windows Phone and Zune. He said that he now wants to devote more time to his family and his nonprofit work with groups such as the Boys & Girls Club of America. Also confirmed to be leaving Microsoft is J Allard, who was with Microsoft for 19 years. Allard currently serves as SVP of design and development for the E&D division. He’ll take an official role as advisor to CEO Ballmer and his leadership team following his formal departure, Microsoft said. Additionally, Microsoft said David Treadwell, corporate VP of Live Platform Services, will take a new position under Mattrick to lead the core technology organization for the Interactive Entertainment Business. Separate from the E&D division, Microsoft also said that Antoine Leblond, SVP of Office Productivity Applications Group, will now serve as SVP of for the Windows Web Services team.