HP has named ex SAP boss Léo Apotheker as its new CEO and president, following August’s departure of Mark Hurd in a scandal. 57 year-old, German-born Apotheker is expected to start his tenure November 1 and replaces Cathie Lesjak, who was named interim CEO in August. Lesjak, who has served as HP’s CFO since January 2007, remains CFO and continues to serve as a member of the company’s Executive Council.

HP – the world’s largest technology company – is ramping up efforts in the mobile space following its US$1.2 billion purchase of Palm earlier this year. HP plans to launch tablets running WebOS and Windows platforms (the former acquired from its Palm deal), while turning its back on smartphone software from Google. HP is on track to deliver a tablet computer running WebOS early next year, as well as a Windows-based tablet that will ship sooner. Earlier this week HP gave a rosy financial outlook, stating that next year’s revenue is expected to total US$131.5 billion to US$133.5 billion, an increase of 5 percent to 7 percent.