Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to retire 'within 12 months'

4.7
Microsoft has announced that long-serving CEO Steve Ballmer has decided to retire within the next 12 months, upon the appointment of a successor.

Microsoft's board of directors has appointed a special committee, including chairman of the board Bill Gates, to direct the succession process.

"There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time," Ballmer said in a statement.

"We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company's transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction."

Steve Ballmer became Microsoft's 30th employee when he joined the firm in 1980.

In an internal e-mail sent to Microsoft employees, Ballmer said he felt that the company needed "a CEO who will be here longer term" in order to overlook its "transformation to a devices and services company".

Bill Gates said in a statement: "As a member of the succession planning committee, I'll work closely with the other members of the board to identify a great new CEO. We're fortunate to have Steve in his role until the new CEO assumes these duties."

Posted:
Related Forum: PC General Forum

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/426312/microsoft-ceo-steve-ballmer-to-retire-within-12-months/

Related Articles

Comments

"Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to retire 'within 12 months'" :: Login/Create an Account :: 72 comments

If you would like to post a comment please signin to your account or register for an account.

_BalePosted:

Goodbye Steve, It probably wont effect MS though.. :)

MountaineersPosted:

I don't think this will affect Microsoft like most people thinks its going too

GossipPosted:

30th employee, how many do you think they have now?

MiguelCMPosted:

Hope he doesn't retire I don't want to risk the chances of what can happen to Microsoft, :/

Dr-JPosted:

Miss you babe. Hope you enjoy the rest of your life

IlIuminatiPosted:

Boar
-Maury-
MoDOT
-CP Bye bye Mr. Ballmer, we'll miss you :(


you didnt even know who he was like me until you seen this post so will you really miss someone you dont know? I wont.
-
OT: well how lucky 30TH employ, been there since 1980 wow.



How do you know he didn't know who he was?


Exactly, I knew who he was before this article.


Some people still think Bill Gates is the CEO...

FavismPosted:

well i didn't know who he was and i'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing

ORL_MAGICPosted:

To all the people wondering how this will effect Microsoft in the future. I can tell you its for the better for both Microsoft and Ballmer. Firstly when he announced his retirement the stock prices surged. Ballmer is actually worth more than one billion, yes I said billion, dollars more than he was before. So already there seeing a good affect. He wasn't a great ceo but he wasn't a bad one. Microsoft never really flourished while he was ceo. He missed a lot of great chances that Apple took advantages of during his time. Like with the iphone, ipod, ipad. They missed a huge chance to get into the electronic device markets. He tried to keep them a mainly software company and that didn't really fail but it kept them behind Apple. He never did anything innovative to really help the company. Microsoft has a better future now that he is gone.

BoarPosted:

-Maury-
MoDOT
-CP Bye bye Mr. Ballmer, we'll miss you :(


you didnt even know who he was like me until you seen this post so will you really miss someone you dont know? I wont.
-
OT: well how lucky 30TH employ, been there since 1980 wow.



How do you know he didn't know who he was?


Exactly, I knew who he was before this article.

BoarPosted:

Scofield now maybe xbox live will be free? JK Microsoft wants your money..


What has that got to do with him retiring? Xbox Live isn't free because you get so much with it.


Latest Downloads

Latest Tutorials