Xerox gives Ursula Burns duel role

Xerox has given chief executive Ursula Burns a duel role by appointing her as its new chairman.

Burns will take over the role immediately following the retirement of Anne Mulcahy.

She was made chief executive in July 2009 - also taking over that role from Mulcahy who has wound down her involvement with the company after overseeing a recovery in its fortunes over the last decade.

Burns joined Xerox nearly 30 years ago has worked her way through the ranks. She has previously held roles in manufacturing, supply chain, marketing and research operations. She was made the company's president in April 2007.

The new chairman earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Polytechnic Institute of NYU and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University.

In addition to the Xerox board, she is a board director of the American Express Corporation.

Recently Xerox has been expanding from its core printer business and offering business process outsourcing, document management and imaging and printing services.

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