(MENAFN - PRovoke) SINGAPORE — Emma Richards has departed HP to become head of communications at Microsoft Asia, replacing Marina Levina. Levina steps down to return home after 18 months as Microsoft's regional communications director, and a 12 year career in total with the technology giant. Richards joins Microsoft from HP, which she joined in 2018 after more than a decade at WE Communications. Richards initially headed PSG communications at HP, before becoming Asia-Pacific communications lead in 2019. Richards reports to Doug Dawson, who is Microsoft's head of international communications, based at its global HQ in Seattle. She will oversee Microsoft's Asia communications community, leading communications strategy, thought leadership, and employee communications.