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Microsoft names Satya Nadella to replace Steve Ballmer Microsoft names Satya Nadella to replace Steve Ballmer
(35 minutes later)
Technology giant Microsoft has said Satya Nadella will succeed Steve Ballmer as its next chief executive. Technology giant Microsoft has announced that Satya Nadella will be its next chief executive.
Mr Nadella is currently Microsoft's head of Cloud and Enterprise, which builds and runs the firm's computing platforms and developer tools. Indian-born Mr Nadella is currently Microsoft's head of Cloud and Enterprise, which builds and runs the firm's computing platforms and developer tools.
In August, Mr Ballmer said he would retire within 12 months. Leaders from a range of industries are rumoured to have been considered for the post. He takes over from Steve Ballmer who announced plans to step down last year.
Microsoft also said founder Bill Gates would step down as chairman. Company founder Bill Gates said there was "no better person to lead Microsoft".
Mr Gates will take up a new role as technology adviser and will also retain a seat on the board, Mr Gates is stepping down as chairman, it was also announced, but will take up a new role as technology adviser and will also retain a seat on Microsoft's board.
Microsoft's lead independent director John Thompson is to take over from Mr Gates as the company's chairman. Microsoft's lead independent director John Thompson will take over as chairman.
Mr Thompson led the search committee for Microsoft's new chief executive, and said last year that more than 100 possible candidates had been identified.
'Proven leader''Proven leader'
Mr Nadella, 44, is Microsoft's third chief executive. The Indian-born executive joined the company in 1992 and he has degrees in electronics, computer science and business administration. "Microsoft is one of those rare companies to have truly revolutionised the world through technology, and I couldn't be more honoured to have been chosen to lead the company," said Mr Nadella.
"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."
Mr Nadella, 46, is Microsoft's third chief executive. The Hyderabad-born executive joined the company in 1992 and has degrees in electronics, computer science and business administration.
He previously led its server and tools business before being put in charge of the unit that built Microsoft's Cloud OS service, which powers products such as Bing, Skype and Xbox Live.He previously led its server and tools business before being put in charge of the unit that built Microsoft's Cloud OS service, which powers products such as Bing, Skype and Xbox Live.
"During this time of transformation, there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella," said Mr Gates."During this time of transformation, there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella," said Mr Gates.
"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.""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."
Mr Nadella said: "Microsoft is one of those rare companies to have truly revolutionised the world through technology, and I couldn't be more honoured to have been chosen to lead the company. The appointment ends months of speculation over who would succeed Mr Ballmer, who announced his intention to stand down in August last year.
"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." At one stage incoming chairman John Thompson said more than 100 possible candidates had been identified.
Investors have been calling for new leadership at the technology giant, saying it needs a significant shakeup in order to become more innovative and profitable. Rumoured to be among them were the boss of car giant Ford, Alan Mulally, and Nokia chief executive Stephen Elop.
However, some critics have pointed out that Mr Nadella has had no experience of running a company, let alone one as big as Microsoft. Investors have been calling for new leadership at the Microsoft, saying it needs a significant shakeup in order to become more innovative and profitable.
Some critics have questioned whether Mr Nadella is the right man for the job. He has no experience of running a company, let alone one as big as Microsoft.
Microsoft shares rose following the announcement. They were up 0.7% after an hour of trading.