Confirmed: Microsoft's Applications and Services Group VP Qi Lu is leaving the company

Qi Lu is currently the Executive Vice President of Applications and Services Group inside Microsoft. According to the report from Recode, Qi Lu is leaving the company due to health issues that arose from a bicycle accident that took place several months ago.

Rajesh Jha, Corporate Vice President, Outlook and Office 365 will now take care of Qi Lu’s duties for now. Microsoft is yet to officially comment on this matter, we will update the post when we get information from them.

About Qi Lu,

As executive vice president of Microsoft’s Applications and Services Group, Dr. Qi Lu leads Microsoft’s business across productivity, communications, education, search and other information services. He sets the vision, strategy and overall direction of the Applications and Services Group, and is responsible for all of the research and development teams across Microsoft Office, Office 365, SharePoint, Exchange, Yammer, Lync, Skype, Bing, Bing Apps, MSN and the Advertising platforms and business group. The Apps and Services group will empower people and organizations around the world to achieve more with compelling and delightful experiences.

Dr. Lu was previously the president of the Online Services Division, where he led the company’s search, portal and online advertising efforts.

Update:

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella confirmed this news in his email to Microsoft employees. Read it below.

First, my friend and colleague Qi Lu has made a difficult and very personal decision to leave Microsoft to focus all his time on recovering from health conditions caused by a prior injury. Once Qi recovers, he will continue to serve as a personal advisor to Bill Gates and me. I wish Qi a full and fast recovery in the coming months, and want to thank him for all he has done for Microsoft.

Over the years, I’ve worked closely with Qi – first as an engineering leader within Bing, later as fellow members of the SLT, and most recently as he led ASG to new heights. The groundbreaking work Qi led during his eight years resulted in many product advances and built the foundation for future innovation across Microsoft. Qi exemplifies what it means to have a deep sense of mission, purpose and authenticity in everything one does. His greatest impact is the people he has inspired. I count myself among them.