Meet the HP Board of Directors

Hewlett Packard, better known as HP, has been a major player in the tech industry for over 80 years. But what about the individuals guiding its strategic direction? In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at the HP Board of Directors, from its history and selection process to its impact on the company's strategy and performance.

Learn about the history of the HP Board of Directors

The HP Board of Directors has a rich history, stretching all the way back to the company's founding in Palo Alto, California in 1939. In its early days, the board was largely comprised of HP's co-founders, William Hewlett and David Packard.

As the company grew, the board evolved to include a broader range of expertise and perspectives. Today, the HP Board of Directors is made up of 12 members, each with their own unique background and skillset.

Over the years, the HP Board of Directors has faced many challenges and made tough decisions that have shaped the company's direction. One notable decision was the appointment of Meg Whitman as CEO in 2011, who led the company through a major restructuring and helped to stabilize its financial performance.

Discover the role and responsibilities of HP's Board of Directors

The primary responsibility of the HP Board of Directors is to oversee the company's strategic direction and ensure that its operations are in alignment with that strategy. They also have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the company's shareholders.

In addition to these overarching responsibilities, the HP Board of Directors is also responsible for overseeing the company's executive team, setting executive compensation, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Another important responsibility of the HP Board of Directors is to assess and manage risks associated with the company's operations. This includes identifying potential risks and implementing strategies to mitigate them, as well as ensuring that the company has adequate insurance coverage.

The HP Board of Directors also plays a key role in ensuring that the company maintains strong relationships with its stakeholders, including customers, employees, and suppliers. They are responsible for overseeing the company's corporate social responsibility initiatives and ensuring that the company operates in a sustainable and ethical manner.

How HP's Board of Directors is selected and appointed

The process for selecting and appointing members to the HP Board of Directors is rigorous and transparent. The board has a Nominating, Governance, and Social Responsibility Committee, which is responsible for identifying, vetting, and recommending potential candidates to the full board for approval.

The committee considers a range of factors when selecting new board members, including their professional background, skills and expertise, and diversity of perspectives. Once a candidate has been approved by the full board, their appointment must be ratified by shareholders.

Additionally, HP's Board of Directors is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive board. The board has set a goal to have at least 40% of its members be women and/or underrepresented minorities by 2025. This commitment to diversity is not only important for the board's effectiveness, but also reflects HP's values as a company.

Meet the current members of HP's Board of Directors

The current members of the HP Board of Directors include:

• Chip Bergh
• Mary Anne Citrino
• Stacy Brown-Philpot
• Stephanie A. Burns
• Stacy Smith
• Jim Skinner
• Megan F. Smith
• Diana S. Tremblay
• Robert R. Bennett
• Raymond J. Lane
• Klaus Kleinfeld
• Charles V. "Chip" Robins

HP's Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the company's management and making important decisions that affect the direction of the company. The board is made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise, including technology, finance, and business. In addition to their roles on the board, many of the members also serve on various committees, such as the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee, to ensure that HP operates in a responsible and ethical manner.

Explore the backgrounds and expertise of each HP board member

The current members of the HP Board of Directors have a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise, including experience in technology, finance, and governance.

For example, Robert R. Bennett has served on multiple corporate boards, including the boards of American Express and Liberty Mutual. Megan F. Smith has a background in technology and entrepreneurship, having served as the Chief Technology Officer of the United States during the Obama administration.

Get to know the leadership style and values of HP's Board of Directors

The HP Board of Directors is renowned for its commitment to principled, ethical governance. This commitment is reflected in the board's Code of Business Conduct, which outlines the company's expectations of ethical behavior from all employees and directors.

The HP Board of Directors also values diversity and inclusion, as evidenced by its efforts to increase the number of women and underrepresented minorities on the board in recent years.

In addition to their commitment to ethical governance and diversity, the HP Board of Directors also prioritizes innovation and sustainability. The board has set ambitious goals to reduce the company's environmental impact and increase the use of renewable energy in its operations. They also encourage and support innovation within the company, regularly investing in research and development to stay at the forefront of technology and industry trends.

Learn about recent changes in HP's Board of Directors

In 2019, HP underwent a significant change in its board composition when several long-serving members stepped down and were replaced by new directors. These changes were motivated in part by input from major shareholders who sought to increase the board's diversity.

One of the new directors appointed to HP's board was a technology industry veteran with extensive experience in software development and cloud computing. This appointment was seen as a strategic move by HP to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Another change in HP's board of directors was the appointment of a new chairperson, who brought with them a wealth of experience in corporate governance and strategic planning. This appointment was seen as a positive step towards improving the company's overall governance and decision-making processes.

Find out how HP's Board of Directors impacts the company's strategy and performance

The HP Board of Directors plays a critical role in shaping the company's strategic direction and performance. For example, the board oversees HP's investments in research and development, as well as its acquisitions and divestitures.

The board's decisions have a direct impact on the company's bottom line, making it an important stakeholder for shareholders and employees alike.

Additionally, the board is responsible for ensuring that HP operates in an ethical and socially responsible manner. This includes setting policies and guidelines for issues such as environmental sustainability, labor practices, and community engagement. By prioritizing these values, the board helps to build trust and loyalty among customers and other stakeholders, which can ultimately contribute to the company's long-term success.

Understand the relationship between HP's Board of Directors and its executive team

The HP Board of Directors works closely with the company's executive team, including the CEO and other top executives. This relationship is essential for ensuring that the board's strategic vision is carried out effectively throughout the organization.

The board also sets executive compensation, which is designed to incentivize top performance and align the interests of executives with those of shareholders.

Furthermore, the board of directors is responsible for overseeing the company's financial performance and ensuring that it is meeting its financial goals. This includes reviewing financial reports and making decisions about investments, acquisitions, and divestitures.

In addition, the board of directors is responsible for ensuring that the company is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. This includes overseeing the company's legal and regulatory affairs, as well as ensuring that the company's policies and procedures are in line with industry standards and best practices.

Hear from past and present board members on their experiences at HP

Many past and present board members of HP have commented on the unique challenges of serving on such an influential and complex board. For example, former board member Rajiv Gupta has spoken publicly about the importance of balancing board member independence with constructive engagement with the executive team.

Other board members have emphasized the importance of staying up-to-date with new developments and technological trends, particularly in the rapidly-changing tech landscape.

In addition to these challenges, some board members have also discussed the importance of diversity and inclusion within the boardroom. HP has made efforts to increase diversity on its board, with women and people of color making up a significant portion of its current members.

Furthermore, board members have also highlighted the need for effective communication and collaboration among board members, as well as between the board and the executive team. This includes regular meetings and open dialogue to ensure that all perspectives are heard and considered in decision-making processes.

Compare and contrast HP's Board of Directors with those of other tech companies

Compared to other technology companies, HP's Board of Directors stands out for its focus on diversity and ethical governance. For example, board members at Facebook and Google have faced criticism in recent years over their handling of issues related to privacy, security, and political influence.

HP's emphasis on these issues reflects a broader trend in the tech industry towards greater transparency and accountability.

In addition to its focus on diversity and ethical governance, HP's Board of Directors also prioritizes innovation and sustainability. The board has implemented initiatives to reduce the company's carbon footprint and increase the use of renewable energy sources. HP has also been recognized for its commitment to innovation, with several board members having backgrounds in technology and entrepreneurship.

Analyze the challenges facing HP's Board of Directors in today's fast-changing tech landscape

The tech industry is known for its rapid pace of change, which presents unique challenges for board members who are responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the company.

For example, the rise of artificial intelligence and the integration of technology into every aspect of modern life pose complex ethical and practical challenges that must be navigated by the HP Board of Directors.

Another challenge facing the HP Board of Directors is the increasing competition in the tech industry. With new players entering the market and established companies constantly innovating, HP must stay ahead of the curve to remain relevant and profitable.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented changes in the tech landscape, with remote work and virtual communication becoming the norm. The HP Board of Directors must adapt to these changes and ensure that the company's products and services meet the evolving needs of customers in this new environment.

Predictions for the future direction and composition of HP's Board of Directors

As technology continues to evolve and shape the global economy, it is likely that the HP Board of Directors will continue to prioritize diversity and ethical governance in its operations. Additionally, it is possible that the board will evolve to include more experts in emerging technologies and fields such as AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity.

Furthermore, with the increasing importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility, it is possible that the HP Board of Directors will also prioritize the integration of sustainable practices and technologies into the company's operations and products. This could include the appointment of experts in renewable energy, circular economy, and eco-design to the board.

Another potential direction for the HP Board of Directors is a focus on social responsibility and impact. As consumers and investors increasingly demand that companies take a stand on social and political issues, it is possible that the board will include experts in areas such as social justice, human rights, and community development. This could lead to HP taking a more active role in addressing social and environmental issues through its business practices and philanthropic efforts.

The role corporate governance plays in shaping HP's Board of Directors

Corporate governance is a critical factor in shaping the composition and operations of the HP Board of Directors. HP's emphasis on ethical governance, transparency, and accountability reflects a broader trend in the industry towards greater scrutiny of corporate behavior.

Overall, the HP Board of Directors plays an essential role in guiding the company's strategic direction and ensuring that it remains competitive and responsive to the rapidly-changing tech landscape.