Microsoft names Rappaport head of Israeli R&D

Microsoft has named Assaf Rappaport as head of research and development at Microsoft Israel, Globes reported. Rappaport replaces Yoram Yaacovi, who announced in September 2017 that he was leaving after 20 years in the post. Microsoft's first research and development centre in Israel opened 25 years ago and it now has three R&D centres, in Herzliya, Nazareth and Haifa.

A few months ago, Microsoft announced its intention of setting up a new campus to bring together all its Israeli R&D units and company offices. It will be constructed in Herzliya and managed by Microsoft Israel country general manager Shelly Landsmann. The R&D activity will be still managed by Rappaport after the transfer to the new campus.

Rappaport joined Microsoft two years ago when Microsoft bought cybersecurity company Adallom, of which he was one of the founders. Since then he has managed Microsoft Israel's security unit, which has grown to hundreds of people in the past two years. He will continue to lead the Cloud Security group, which, besides Adallom, has also bought startups Secure Islands and Aorato.

Tzahi Weisfeld, senior director of Microsoft Ventures, announced on 18 January that he was stepping down and no replacement has been named yet. Microsoft's activity in startups in Israel has diminished.