Microsoft has
announced a new Chief Executive Officer to take over the affairs of the
software giant. A new Chairman of the board of director has also been chosen as
Bill Gates steps down and become technology advisor.
The third CEO
in Microsoft’s 38-year history was announced today as 46-year old Satya Nadella
rose to the top in a company he has worked for since 1992. Satya Nadella was
previously Microsoft’s Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Cloud and
Enterprise group. The earlier rumours have been confirmed correct obviously.
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| Microsoft's new CEO Satya Nadella. Image: Microsoft |
Nadella was
born in Hyderabad in India in 1967 and obtained his first degree in electrical
engineering at Mangalore University, India. He obtained a master’s degree in
computer science from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and also a master’s
degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.
“During this
time of transformation, there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya
Nadella,” said Microsoft founder, Bill Gates.
“Satya is a
proven leader with hard-core engineering skills, business vision and the
ability to bring people together. His vision for how technology will be used
and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs as the company
enters its next chapter of expanded product innovation and growth.” he said.
Nadella has
been relatively off-radar during the recruitment process and didn’t gain much
attention like other popular considered candidates like Microsoft’s senior Vice
President, Tony Bates and Ford CEO, Alan Mulally.
“Microsoft is
one of those companies to have truly revolutionized the world through technology,
and I couldn’t be more honored to have been chosen to lead the company,”
Nadella said.
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| New Chairman of Board of directors, John Thompson (left); new CEO, Satya Nadella; Founder, Bill Gates; former CEO, Steve Ballmer. Image: Microsoft |
“The
opportunity ahead for Microsoft is vast, but to seize it, we must focus
clearly, move faster and continue to transform. A big part of my job is to
accelerate our ability to bring innovative products to our consumers more
quickly.” he said.
“Many companies
aspire to change the world. But very few have all the elements required:
talent, resources, and perseverance. Microsoft has proven that it has all three
in abundance. And as the new CEO, I can’t ask for a better foundation.” he further
revealed in his first email to employees.
Meanwhile,
lead independent director John Thompson will be the new Chairman of the Board
of Directors of Microsoft as Bill Gates will now have the role of Founder and
Technology Advisor. John Thompson led the search for the new CEO and the new
Chairman backs the new CEO.
“Satya is
clearly the best person to lead Microsoft, and he has the unanimous support of
our Board,” Thompson said. “The board took the thoughtful approach that our
shareholders, customers, partners and employees expected and deserved.”
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