Ford Motor Co. Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally and internal executive Satya Nadella are the two final names being focused upon by Microsoft board for the position of company’s next CEO, a new report claims.
According to a report on Bloomberg citing sources close to the matter, others who were earlier shortlisted for the CEO post including Tony Bates and former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop are less likely to be considered for the post. This report corroborates with the one we published earlier.
The board is keen in deciding upon the next CEO’s name as soon as possible to replace Steve Ballmer, who said in August that he will retire within the next 12 months. The Redmond, Washington-based company who has long been the global software market leader has seen its core business decline along with shrinking of its personal-computer market. At present Microsoft is focusing more on its hardware and Internet-based services while moving a bit away from its software roots as it competes with Apple and Google.
Jay Cooney, a spokesman at Ford said “There is no change from what we announced last November”.
“Alan remains completely focused on executing our One Ford plan. We do not engage in speculation”.
Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and co-founder, at a shareholder meeting held last week, said that the company’s board met on Nov. 18 to discuss on the final CEO candidates names. Gates said he along with other board directors met with “a lot of CEO candidates.”
Declining to give a final timeline for the decision, Gates said “it’s a complex role to fill.”
Microsoft board aims to decide upon the CEO’s name probably by this year, though an announcement could be pushed back until early next year.
According to a document prepared by the board the ideal candidate for Microsoft’s CEO post will be the one who has an “extensive track record in managing complex, global organizations within a fast-paced and highly competitive market sector; track record of delivering top and bottom line results. Proven ability to lead a multi-billion dollar organization and large employee base,” said people with knowledge of the document.
