Neike, 43, will take over responsibility for the Asia/Australia business at Siemens and its Energy Management division from board member Roland Busch, 52, on April 1, Siemens said on Wednesday.

Siemens also confirmed it was re-hiring Michael Sen, finance chief of utility E.ON, to head its healthcare business just over a year after he left the engineering group.

Sen will assume his new role on April 1, taking over some responsibilities from Siegfried Russwurm, who said two months ago that he would not extend his contract beyond March. Russwurm's duties as chief technology officer will be taken on by Busch.

Siemens is planning a separate listing of the healthcare business.

Siemens and its rivals are gearing up for technical advances in industry by buying software and automation firms and hiring tech-savvy managers.

Switzerland's ABB for instance recently appointed its first chief digital officer to step up its efforts in digital technology and the internet of things.

Siemens management board member Lisa Davis is taking over responsibility for Siemens's operations in the United States in addition to her existing duties. Eric Spiegel, the current chief executive of Siemens Corporation, USA, will leave the company, Siemens said.

(Reporting by Maria Sheahan; Editing by Edward Taylor/Keith Weir)

Stocks treated in this article : Cisco Systems, Inc., Siemens AG, E.ON SE