VMware R&D chief heads back to Oracle

VMware has hinted at further management changes to come

VMware has announced that Richard Sarwal, its executive vice president of research and development, has left the firm to return to Oracle.

Sarwal only joined VMware in December last year, and will now be replaced by veteran Stephen Herrod, currently chief technology officer and senior vice president of R&D.

VMware said in a statement that Herrod would assume all responsibilities for R&D, and hinted at further changes to come.

Paul Maritz, president and chief executive officer at VMware, said: "We thank Richard for his service and wish him well in the future. I expect to announce organisational changes to replace Richard in due course."

Sarwal has more than 20 years experience in the IT industry. Although he has served just nine months at Oracle, during that period VMware ousted its chief executive and co-founder Diane Greene and replaced her with Maritz, a managerial change that may have had some influence on his decision to return to Oracle.