With the ongoing search for Microsoft’s new CEO a new rumour suggests that Steve Ballmer will not only step down from his CEO post, but will also exit from Microsoft’s board of directors and Gates will be more visible at Microsoft.
According to Recode, citing sources close to the situation, once the company finalises a suitable CEO replacement, Ballmer will fade himself away from Microsoft’s board. He will not be directly involved in taking the company’s crucial decisions.
Earlier this month after Ford CEO Alan Mulally ruled himself out of the CEO race; however, rumours suggest that Microsoft has added Ericsson CEO Hans Vestberg’s name to the candidate pile.
If Recode’s report is true, then the 57-year-old Ballmer who spent the majority of his life at the software giant will step away from Microsoft entirely after the new CEO is named.
Ballmer will continue owning an approximate four percent stake in the company – equivalent to Bill Gates’ own holdings – he wouldn’t be directly involved in board decisions of the company – not even in any board discussions leading to changes to his “One Microsoft” strategy under a new CEO.
After Ballmer’s departure announcement last year, Bill Gates, Microsoft founder and chairman, has become a more active presence at the company, reports indicate. Gates has been reportedly found spending a lot of time at Microsoft’s campus in Seattle. The situation might continue for some time if he’s allowed to guide the new CEO forward over the coming months.
Satya Nadella, Microsoft cloud and enterprise boss and former Skype president Tony Bates, as well as former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop are among the top leading names being speculated for the post.
It rumours are to be believed then we all might come across the new CEO’s name on Thursday when Microsoft is expected to announce its quarterly earnings reports.
