PARIS--Microsoft is reshuffling its European comms leadership, with current PR head Heather Knox set to return to the US.

Knox will move to a new role at Microsoft in the US, after serving as regional director of communications for Microsoft EMEA since 2009, based in Paris.

Knox is succeeded by Tom Pilla, who has spent almost two years as GM of Microsoft’s PR operation in the UK. The company is currently searching for a head of UK PR; before Pilla the position was occupied by Ali Perkins, who has been a part-time director since returning from maternity leave last year.

"After three years as head of EMEA Communications, Heather Knox is returning to Redmond as planned and Tom Pilla will be taking over the role," said a Microsoft spokesperson. "Heather and Tom will be making this transition over the summer and we’ll announce Heather’s new role once this is complete."

"Ali Perkins is running UK PR on an interim basis and leading the search for a new head of UK PR," added the spokesperson. "Ali will remain at Microsoft and we will announce her new role once we have identified a new UK PR leader."

Both Knox and Pilla are long-term Microsoft veterans from the US. Knox joined the tech giant in 2004, serving in the corporate PR team before moving to the EMEA position.

Pilla, meanwhile, has spent 17 years at Microsoft, primarily at its global HQ in Redmond, where he has occupied a variety of positions.

It is unclear what position Knox will take on in the US. Microsoft is currently attempting to fill a senior global role - director of worldwide PR field operations. Jim Desler, who previously held this job, is to take on a product PR leadership role in the company's dynamics group, confirmed the spokesperson.

Last year, Microsoft EMEA PR lead Peter Devery left after a decade with the company in the UK. Earlier this year, meanwhile, Asia-Pacific corporate communications head Josie Taylor departed Microsoft to join BHP Billiton.