Bill Gates quits as Microsoft chairman

Satya Nadella is now Microsoft’s chief executive after the IT icon stepped down.

14:43 05 February 2014

Bill Gates has resigned as Microsoft’s chairman in order to take a new role as technology adviser in a management shake-up. Satya Nadella is the new firm’s chief executive. 

 

The news came after Steve Ballmer has made his plans of retiring known in August. 

 

In a statement, Bill Gates said: “During this time of transformation, there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella. 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.”

 

Following the announcement, the shares of the world’s largest software maker rose by 1% in early trading before closing down at $36.35. 

 

Meanwhile, Nadella said that he is honoured to become the third chief executive of the giant company. He added: "We have tremendous opportunity, and that's inspiring. I want every one of us to find more meaning at work. We spend far too much time at work for it not to have deep meaning.

 

“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."