Serguei Beloussov, Parallels founder and former chief executive, will remain as executive chairman after Birger Steen's promotion.

Parallels, a US-based provider of online services and desktop virtualization software formerly known as SWsoft, has promoted Birger Steen (pictured) to chief executive after six months as president following a move from software provider Microsoft.

Serguei Beloussov, Parallels founder and former chief executive, will remain as executive chairman.

Parallels started in 1999 and has more than $100m in revenues after undisclosed funding in mid-2005 from Intel Capital and venture capital firms Bessemer Venture Partners and Almaz Capital Partners.