Microsoft has announced a significant leadership shakeup within its security and engineering divisions, appointing Hayete Gallot as the new Executive Vice President of Security. The move sees Gallot returning to Microsoft after a tenure at Google Cloud, taking over the top security role from Charlie Bell, who will transition to a new position focused on engineering quality.
Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced the changes in a message to employees, emphasizing that the updates target two of the company’s “core priorities”: security and quality.
Hayete Gallot Returns to Lead Microsoft Security
Hayete Gallot is rejoining Microsoft to lead the company’s security organization, reporting directly to Satya Nadella. In her new role as Executive Vice President, Security, she will oversee the company’s security business and product rhythms.
Gallot joins from Google, where she served as the President of Customer Experience for Google Cloud. However, she is no stranger to Microsoft, having previously spent more than 15 years at the company. During her prior tenure, she held senior leadership roles across engineering and sales and was instrumental in the design and implementation of Microsoft’s Security Solution Area. Nadella highlighted her past contributions to major franchises like Windows and Office, noting that she brings a critical “ethos that combines product building with value realization for customers.”
Under the new structure, Microsoft’s security team will report to Gallot. Additionally, Ales Holecek will take on a new role as Chief Architect for Security, reporting to Gallot. Holecek is tasked with bringing architectural sensibility to security and its connections to Microsoft’s scale businesses.
Charlie Bell shifts Focus to Engineering Quality
Charlie Bell, who joined Microsoft from Amazon in 2021 and has been leading the company’s security efforts, is moving to a new role dedicated to engineering quality. He will also report directly to Nadella.
According to Nadella, this transition has been in the planning stages for some time, driven by Bell’s desire to move from an organizational leader back to an “IC” (individual contributor) engineer. Bell previously built Microsoft’s Security, Compliance, Identity, and Management organization and was a key figure in rallying the company behind its Secure Future Initiative (SFI).
In his new capacity, Bell will focus on the “Quality Excellence Initiative.” This role involves increasing accountability and accelerating progress against engineering objectives to ensure durable, high-quality experiences at a global scale. He is expected to partner closely with Microsoft executives Scott Guthrie and Mala Anand on this work.
A Renewed Focus on Core Priorities
These leadership changes underscore Microsoft’s intensified focus on security and engineering rigor. Nadella described the appointments as a way to advance mission-critical work in these areas.
While Bell’s tenure laid the groundwork for initiatives like the Secure Future Initiative, the appointment of Gallot signals a new chapter for the division. With her background in both engineering and commercial sales, along with her recent experience at Google Cloud, Gallot is positioned to drive the next phase of growth and adoption for Microsoft’s security platforms, including Security Copilot and Purview.
