Since the era of ex-Windows lead Terry Myerson, Windows itself hasn’t had a seat at the big boy table within Microsoft. However, that has now changed. Chief Product Officer Panos Panay has taken up a new role as an Executive Vice President (via Bloomberg), joining recent appointee Xbox lead Phil Spencer at the senior leadership table, answering directly to CEO and board director Satya Nadella.

When Xbox jumped up to the senior leadership table under Phil Spencer, we saw a flood in relevance and investment for Xbox within the wider company ethos. Windows and Surface could see a similar boost as a result. The appointment shows tremendous faith in Panay’s vision for Windows 11 and Surface, the latter of which has grown to another billion-dollar Microsoft business under Panay’s leadership.

Panos Panay has been promoted to Microsoft’s senior leadership team, elevating Windows and Surface | Windows Central