In further shakeup, HP chairman Lane quits

Hewlett-Packard said Thursday its non-executive chairman Raymond Lane has decided to step down in a shakeup of the board of directors at the struggling US computer giant.

Lane, who will remain on the board, will be replaced on an interim basis by Ralph Whitworth during the company's search for a permanent non-executive chairman.

In addition, John Hammergren and G. Kennedy Thompson "have decided to leave the board," an HP statement said.

The news comes with HP in the middle of a massive shift in strategy as consumers gravitate from traditional PCs to mobile devices, including tablets.

HP chief executive Meg Whitman, who is spearheading the move, has said the company -- still the world's biggest PC maker -- is making progress but that more work is needed.

Lane said in a statement that he was quitting "to reduce any distraction from HP's ongoing turnaround."

He vowed to continue to serve HP as a director and "help finish the job."

"Ray, John and Ken have invested a part of themselves in HP," said Whitman, who holds the jobs of president and chief executive officer.

"Their leadership is reflected in the early success we've had turning the company around. I'm grateful that Ray will continue to serve, and I wish John and Ken the very best. I also appreciate Ralph's willingness to increase his responsibilities during this transition."