Agilent Technologies appoints chief technology officer for Keysight

Agilent Technologies has announced the appointment of Jay Alexander as chief technology officer of Kesight Technologies, ahead of the firm's coming launch as an independent business.

Mr Alexander will be tasked with leading Keysight's technology development, driving its product roadmap and managing the company's resource allocation across divisions, with the aim of transforming its portfolio.

Keysight Technologies is the name of the new standalone business that will be created when Agilent spins off its electronic measurement group in August 2014.

The newly-appointed chief technology officer has held numerous leadership positions within this group over the years, including his most recent role as vice-president and general manager for the oscilloscope and protocol division.

Keysight president and chief executive officer Ron Nersesian said: "Jay has a strong research and development background, is highly respected in the industry and has helped drive key growth and profit increases in the company."

Following the strategic separation, the Agilent name will be retained by the company's current life sciences, diagnostics and applied markets division.