After a five-month search, Microsoft has decided to promote its own cloud computing lead to fill Ballmer's shoes as CEO.
Microsoft's five-month CEO search has come to an end, as the company announced Tuesday it is promoting current cloud and enterprise lead Satya Nadella to the top slot.
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) has been looking for a new CEO since Steve Ballmer announced he was resigning back in August. It hasn't been an easy search, with candidates such as Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC) CEO Hans Vestberg, Ford CEO Alan Mulally, and former Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) CEO Stephen Elop all being rumored as successors along the way. (See Ballmer Bails on Microsoft, Ericsson CEO Snubs Microsoft Top Job Too?, Will Elop Return Without the Crown?, and Report: Ericsson CEO on Shortlist for Microsoft Top Job.)
Nadella has been with Microsoft for more than 20 years, most recently serving as executive vice president of its Cloud and Enterprise Group. The bulk of his experience is in software, but his biggest challenge will now be to help Microsoft regain its relevancy in the mobile market, where its Windows Phone operating system has struggled to compete against Android and Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL).
Microsoft also said on Tuesday that founder and current Chairman of the Board Bill Gates will take on a technology advisory role that will see him get more involved in the company again. John Thompson, lead independent director of the board, will take on the chairman role.
— Sarah Reedy, Senior Editor, Light Reading
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