Corporate VP in Xbox in Europe Phil Harrison has departed Microsoft, the company has been confirmed.
Rumours of Harrison's departure began to , though this is the first time anything has been said officially.
A statement provided to from Head of Xbox Phil Spencer reads: "Following a successful tenure as Corporate Vice President in Xbox in Europe, Phil Harrison has chosen to pursue business interests outside of Microsoft. Phil has been a distinguished leader for our European Xbox team - overseeing production at our award-winning European studios and making a substantial contribution to the Xbox business globally. I want to thank Phil for his creativity and leadership over the past three years. Phil is a great friend of mine and I wish him the very best with his future endeavours."
Harrison himself, meanwhile, thanked the corporation. He said, "I have enjoyed the last three years at Microsoft enormously and it has been a privilege to lead and work along side the incredible talent within Microsoft Studios in Europe, including Rare, Lionhead, Lift, Soho and Press Play. I wish them and my many friends throughout the Xbox world every continued success and know that games will continue to prosper across Microsoft under Phil Spencer's leadership."
The departure marks a three year tenure with when the corporation as VP of the Interactive Entertainment Business and EMEA head of games in March 2012. He was previously head of Sony's global network of studios before resigning from the electronics giant in 2008. In the interim, he was a partner in an investment capital firm he founded called London Venture Partners and was also previously on the board of Atari.