It gives Highfield a kind of power that probably no-one at Microsoft’s UK web operation has wielded until now - responsible for sales, marketing, content and programming, business development, partner efforts and operations for Windows, Windows Mobile, Windows Live, MSN, Live Search and Microsoft Advertising. He will oversee MSN UK executive producer Peter Bale and advertising head Chris Ward; Highfield himself will report to John Mangelaars, VP for consumer and online across Europe, Mid-East and Africa.

Highfield so far is only speaking via statement, like in Microsoft’s release: “This is a really exciting, pivotal time for Microsoft. You will have seen the new Windows advertising and marketing campaign which is just the tip of the iceberg. What’s coming next is going to be a landmark next stage in the company’s history and I am really excited to be a part of it. Bringing together (Microsoft’s consumer and online services) and taking them forward to be more than the sum of their parts is an amazing opportunity.”

Statement from Kangaroo after the jump...

“BBC Worldwide, ITV (LSE: ITV) and Channel 4 confirm that Ashley Highfield is standing down as Chief Executive Officer of Project Kangaroo. The shareholders would like to thank Ashley for all his hard work and dedication to the venture. As of today, Rod Henwood has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer, supported by Mark Kortekaas as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Christine Mullin as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and he and the shareholders are now actively recruiting a new CEO.

“Rod Henwood is currently lead regulatory adviser at Project Kangaroo and was previously New Business Director of Channel 4. His senior team will include Mark Kortekaas as CTO and Christine Mullin as CFO. Mark was previously Senior Vice President and CTO for CBS Interactive (NYSE: CBS) in the United States and Christine Mullin recently worked in private equity and was previously Finance Director of AOL (NYSE: TWX) UK.

“Ben McOwen Wilson, Chairman of the Joint Venture said: ‘We would like to thank Ashley for leading Project Kangaroo through a crucial stage in its development, and we wish him well for the future. In Rod, Mark and Christine we are confident that we have a management team of strength and depth that can deliver an outstanding product for UK consumers and advertisers and will continue the ongoing priority of working with the Competition Commission through its process.’

“Ashley Highfield said: ‘It has been a great pleasure and challenge to take Project Kangaroo to the next stage of its journey. It is something I believe passionately in and I will remain a great ambassador for the project from afar as it continues on the road to become a brilliant proposition for consumers in this exciting market. However I was presented with an amazing opportunity which I couldn’t turn down, and I am looking forward to embarking on my new challenge, while wishing everyone at the project continued success.’”