Microsoft names Satya Nadella to replace Steve Ballmer

Technology giant Microsoft has said Satya Nadella will succeed Steve Ballmeras 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. 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. Microsoft also said founder Bill Gates would step down as chairman. Mr Gates will take up a new role as technology adviser and will also retain a seat on the board, Microsoft's lead independent director John Thompson is to take over from Mr Gates as the company's chairman. I couldn't be more honoured to have been chosen to lead the company Satya Nadella, Microsoft chief executive 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' 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. 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. "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 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." 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. However, some critics have pointed out that Mr Nadella has had no experience of running a company, let alone one as big as Microsoft.