Bloomberg has
reported that Microsoft’s board is preparing to make Satya Nadella the next CEO
of the software company after five months of search for a new CEO. It also
claimed that its sources say that Bill Gates could cease to be the Chairman of
the board of the company.
According to
Bloomberg, people with the knowledge of the process have claimed that president
of Microsoft’s server business, Satya Nadella could be the Chief Executive Officer
that would be announced soon by the company.
Satya Nadella. Image via Digital Trends |
The 46-year-old
Nadella who has been with Microsoft since 1992 has been seen as the best
candidate for the post which is currently occupied by 57-year-old Steve
Ballmer. Ballmer is leaving the company this year after he announced he will be
stepping down last year.
Nadella has
been impressive in his department after he help boost revenue from $16.6
billion in 2011 when he took over to $20.3 in 2012. There have only been two
CEOs in the history of Microsoft: Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer.
Reports also
indicated that America’s richest man, Bill Gates will step down as the Chairman
of the board of Microsoft, a position he has occupied since 1981.
Gates however
won’t be out of the company completely, he will still be part-time with the
company. He revealed recently that he will be more concentrated on the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation.
“The
foundation is the biggest part of my time. I put in part-time work to help as a
board member. My full-time work will be the foundation for the rest of my life.
I will not change that.” he said.
It is
expected that Microsoft lead independent director, John Thompson is expected to
take the place of Bill Gates as Chairman. The 64-year old is leading the search
for the new CEO and is known to have asked tough questions from top Microsoft
executives in the past, even from Ballmer.
Nadella to become the next CEO of Microsoft? Gates to step down as Chairman?