He represented IBM to the European Commission and other authorities such as NATO and the EDA on issues of international public policy and business regulation.
He also oversaw the company's corporate citizenship, environmental affairs, intellectual property, standards development and university relations activities across the region.
Leadership roles included Director of Operations in Eastern Europe and Russia (1990-1) and Vice President of the Financial Services Sector in EMEA (1994-2001).
Outside the UK, Hirst is a Foundation Board Member of IMD, the Swiss-based global business school, and is Advisor to the Presidential Advisory Council on Information Society and Development (PIAC) in South Africa.
Larry Hirst was said to be too unwell to attend the 2013 trial of IBM UK Holdings, the company of which he had been general manager and chief executive.