Websense names McAfee man as new CEO

Internet security firm Websense has announced Gene Hodges, the former president of McAfee, is to join as CEO, replacing long-time boss John Carrington.

Carrington has been CEO of Websense since 1999 and now takes up the post of executive chairman to make way for Hodges.

Hodges said he had not been looking for a move away from antivirus firm McAfee, where he served for 11 years, but added the opportunity of the CEO position at Websense "was simply too compelling to pass up".

He said in a statement: "Websense offers a unique opportunity to apply the knowledge and experience I have gained during my 11 years in the security software industry."

Outgoing CEO Carrington said Hodges experience of growing "a billion dollar organisation" in the security space is ideal for helping Websense realise its own burgeoning ambitions.

Carrington said in a statement: "Gene's experience in one of the world's leading security companies will be invaluable as Websense continues to expand its product offering from a 'nice-to-have' web filtering solution to a 'must-have' layer of web security."

As part of the offer made to Hodges was a grant of 600,000 share options for Websense common stock.