Microsoft reveals new CEO amid board reshuffle
Microsoft’s board of directors has appointed Satya Nadella as its new CEO and member of the board of directors effective immediately, while also announcing a slight reshuffle of its board.
Nadella will also serve as a member of the board, and his appointments are effective immediately.
Nadella joined Microsoft in 1992 and has held the position of Executive Vice President of the company’s Cloud and Enterprise group.
In a statement announcing Nadella’s appointment, the new CEO highlighted the need for transformation at the company.
“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 customers more quickly,” Nadella said.
In an email to Microsoft employees that the company made public, Nadella wrote: “I am here for the same reason I think most people join Microsoft - to change the world through technology that empowers people to do amazing things. I know it can sound hyperbolic - and yet it’s true. We have done it, we’re doing it today, and we are the team that will do it again.”
Microsoft founder Bill Gates said: “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.”
The company also announced that Gates will take on a new role on the board as Founder and Technology Advisor, and will “devote more time to the company, supporting Nadella in shaping technology and product direction”.
John Thompson will assume the role of chairman of the board and will remain an independent director on the board.
Thompson said Nadella “has the unanimous support of our board”.
G Mason Morfit, President, ValueAct Capital, said: “I am very enthusiastic about Satya Nadella’s appointment as CEO of Microsoft. As an active contributor to the CEO search process, I have spent a lot of time with Satya and he is clearly the best choice to lead the company. I look forward to working with Satya, chairman John Thompson and the rest of the board of directors to create value for all shareholders.”
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