Fisher will be responsible for driving forward the people strategy for the UK business.

She will focus on building Microsoft's position as an employer of choice as well as focusing on an ongoing commitment to effective recruitment and retention. Prior to taking on this role, Fisher worked at Toyota (GB) where she was director of HR and head of environmental strategy for over six years. She was also responsible for managing the customer relations department and steering its external customer satisfaction strategy. Fisher has over 16 years' experience in the IT industry, at ICL and Siemens Business Services.

She said: ""Microsoft is ahead of the curve on many aspects of its human resources policy, particularly in the way it manages talent and places such emphasis on career and personal development. The chance to help build on and shape this made this role an extremely attractive opportunity."