Christmas has come early for Hewlett Packard and with it comes a shiny new UK chief. Phil Lawler, previously director and general manager at the vendor's enterprise computing sales organisation in the UK and Ireland, has been named as the new UK managing director. He will replace John Golding, who at 57 is to retire from the post of MD. Golding will, however, stay on as chairman until March 2000, the company said. HP will not be stretching to a replacement for Lawler as head of the enterprise business - he will be expected to perform these duties on top of those of UK MD. Lawler said he aimed to grow the UK business, which currently tops £2.2 billion turnover. ® Related stories: HP merges five sales forces worldwide HP turns in fat profit for Q3