Satya Nadella named by Microsoft to replace Steve Balmer

BBC News reports today that Indian-born Satya Nadell, who has risen through the company since he joined in 1992, will become the next chief executive. Currently the head of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise, he will replace Steve Ballmer who had announced in August last year that he would step down as CEO within 12 months.

Huffington Post reported earlier this year that Mr Nadella was most likely to be named as Microsoft’s next CEO. Bigger names had arisen as possible candidates for the job including Ford CEO Alan Mulally and Ericsson CEO Hans Vestberg, but Dan Primack, had tweeted the same date, that he had been told by Microsoft employees that the only downside with Mr Nadella is his lack of sales experience, but that generally, that his colleagues seem to love him.

Bill Gates has said, “There is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella,” who is stepping down from his position as chairman, as he looks to take up a new role as a technology advisor while keeping his seat on Microsoft’s board.

While analysts say his background in cloud computing is advantageous in a growing area of Microsoft, critics have questioned his employment as CEO due to a lack of experience.

Mr Nadella has since sent out his first official email as CEO, as Microsoft aim to cease the continuation in the same direction, and giving Mr Nadella freedom to make changes.