Big data and beyond: China’s Cheetah Mobile plans second HQ in US after hiring Charles Fan
World’s leading mobile security and utility app developer sees big data as ‘central strategy’ for this year; joins list of Chinese tech and internet firms making high-profile appointments
Chinese technology company Cheetah Mobile, the world’s leading mobile security and utility app developer, plans to establish its new headquarters in the United States, build up its gaming business and pursue major “big data” initiatives after landing highly sought recruit Charles Fan.
New York-listed Cheetah Mobile announced on Wednesday that Fan will now lead global research and development activities as its new chief technology officer, taking over a post previously held by company president Xu Ming.
“Big data is a central strategy for Cheetah Mobile in 2016 and beyond. I also aim to contribute to the international expansion of one of the fastest-growing mobile companies in the world,” Fan told the South China Morning Post.
His appointment marks the latest high-profile executive hiring made by a major Chinese internet company, following online search powerhouse Baidu’s recruitment of Zhang Yaqin from Microsoft in 2014.
Zhang, a protege of Bill Gates, helped build Microsoft’s biggest technology research operation outside of the United States as the chairman of its Asia-Pacific Research and Development Group based in Beijing. He moved to Baidu as its president for new business.