HP yesterday surprised the tech world when it announced that CEO Leo Apotheker was being removed from his position in favor of Meg Whitman. The company said it needed a new leader if it was to successfully carry out its strategy to transform the company. The news was somewhat sudden in that Wednesday’s news brought rumors of Meg as a replacement CEO, so Thursday’s announcement wasn’t a total shock. However, the fact that HP decided to up and hire a new CEO when the old one had been in the saddle less than a year was hard to believe.

Then again, perhaps no, as Leo did make some questionable decisions during his time as CEO of HP. Aside from killing off the TouchPad and Pre and announcing plans to spin off the company’s personal systems group, Apotheker’s HP has been forced to lower sales forecasts three times and the company stock has dropped nearly 50 percent in value. Serious problems to be sure, but not entirely Apotheker’ fault. HP has been in something of a downward spiral for years, dogged by high-profile tablet and smartphone failures, expense account ‘irregularities’, not to mention the infamous 2005 employee spying scandal, all of which happened under Mark Hurd’s watch.

With Apotheker’s very brief reign at an end, it’s now up to Meg Whitman to turn things around. Failed California gubernatorial candidate and former CEO of eBay, Whitman’s plans for the company have not yet been confirmed. However, in the early hours of her term as CEO, Leo’s final memo to HP staff has been made public. Apotheker expresses his faith in HP’s new leader and says he’s confident the company will continue to burn brightly. Check out the memo in full below:

TO/ All HP Employees
FROM/ Léo Apotheker

Dear HP Employees:

This afternoon, HP issued a press release announcing my resignation as president and CEO, positions I have held with great honor this past year. Meg Whitman will assume the role of president and CEO.

As you know, Meg is a technology visionary with a proven track record of execution and has served HP well as a member of the board for the past eight months. Meg will be supported by a broad and deep management team, and I have the utmost confidence that HP will succeed in executing its strategic evolution.

On a personal level, I cannot begin to express the admiration I have for all of you – and what you have accomplished together. Over the past year, we were tasked with developing a strategic vision for HP and I know we have made important contributions to the company’s future.

Your efforts on behalf of HP and your dedication to our customers have inspired me – and I am confident that HP has a bright future because of the talented people that come to work here every day. Thank you for your commitment to HP and for your dedication in serving HP’s customers and partners. It has been a tremendous honor and a pleasure to work with you here at HP.

Sincerely,

Léo Apotheker