Computer giant Hewlett Packard (HP) has appointed Joyce Norcini as its new regional general counsel for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Norcini has replaced Eric Herkens in the role and will now lead a team of 100 lawyers and support staff across the region.

Norcini joined HP in 1997 as a commercial and competition lawyer and was most recently HP's deputy general counsel in the company's technology solutions group.

Last year HP general counsel Ann Baskins resigned amid allegations of pretexting, while chairwoman Patricia Dunn also stood down from her post. Board members of the company were accused of being complicit in corporate spying in an attempt to uncover the source of boardroom leaks.

HP is one of the world's largest computer companies with 150,000 employees and annual revenues of $90bn (£48bn).