Former Microsoft CFO becomes chairman of cloud accounting company Xero

New Zealand-based cloud accounting software company Xero is looking to step up its game in the U.S., and to do so it’s boosting its board and senior management ranks. That includes adding former Microsoft and GM CFO Chris Liddell as non-executive chairman of the board, bringing on HP exec Bill Veghte as director, and hiring former PayPal exec Peter Karpas as its CEO of North American operations.

New Zealand cloud accounting software startup Xero has strengthened its US team, appointing a US-based director and an additional chairman of the board, as well as setting up the new role of CEO, North America. News of the company signing three highly experienced employees comes after its recent NZ$180 million capital raise in October last year. Announced on Wednesday, the new CEO of the North American arm of the business, Peter Karpas, was previously PayPal’s vice president and general manager, North America, for SMBs. Prior to that, Karpas worked at accounting software rival Intuit. “We are thrilled to have Peter join our team and lead our US business,” Xero CEO and founder Rod Drury said today. “His proven leadership, comprehensive familiarity with the B2B market in North America in both accounting and payments will help our drive for growth in the US, where there are over 29 million small businesses.”