Symantec chief steps down

John W Thompson leaving at end of fiscal year

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18 November 2008 14:56 GMT / By Katie Scott

Security software company Symantec is having a management reshuffle.

John W Thompson is to leave his role as chief executive at the end of this fiscal year.

In his place will step Enrique T. Salem, Symantec's current chief operating officer, who will become president and chief executive officer on 04 April next year.

Salem will also joins the company's board of directors, while Thompson is the remain as chairman of the board.

In a statement, Thompson explained: "I am proud of our team's accomplishments over the past 10 years as we've transformed the company from a consumer software publisher to the leader in Internet security, data protection and storage management".

"I've always believed planning for succession was a critical part of my role and, for the past two years, have been working with the board on a thoughtful succession plan. Through that process, Enrique emerged as the right person to lead the company and I am confident in his ability to continue to drive the success of our team."