European Xbox Exec Leaves Microsoft for Apple

Microsoft's head of video game strategy in Europe has resigned...and will apparently be taking up an education-related position with Apple.

In the latest rank-shuffling in Microsoft’s leadership, European video game strategist Richard Teversham has left the company, reportedly to take up an education-related position in Apple’s European operations. The move marks the latest defection of a top Microsoft executive—although the first time in recent memory that one has moved directly to Apple.

Teversham had been with Microsoft for over 15 years, most recently as director of business, insights, and strategy for Microsoft’s Xbox business in Europe. Before that, he was director for Xbox platform and marketing in Europe. Teversham works out of the UK, and is on the board of the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE), which is in charge of the PEGI age ratings for video games used in Europe. It is not clear whether Teversham will stick with the ISFE after leaving Microsoft.

Although non-compete clauses and other contractual obligations will probably prevent Teversham from working on gaming-related projects for Apple, the move illustrates the sorts of problems Microsoft can have attracting (and retaining) top industry talent, especially now that Microsoft’s days of constantly-inflating stock prices seem to be long gone.