Kerry Holling -- who had been with HP or its acquirees for around 16 years -- left in June, a HP spokesperson told ZDNet Australia today.
Holling had worked for Digital before Compaq bought the business in 1998. After just three years it was Compaq's turn to be acquired in one of the IT industry's biggest-ever deals and the executive came to HP.
He is believed to be taking some personal time out before re-entering the marketplace.
HP's spokesperson was unable to confirm if Holling would be replaced, but wider moves within the supplier make it unlikely.
Since taking the HP reins in early 2005, HP chief executive officer Mark Hurd has outlined a range of initiatives to cut costs.
Those have included massive layoffs and a centralisation of HP's internal IT operations to ensure a common global approach.
Holling told a technology publication recently that HP would make all major IT purchases at a global level for 2006/07.
