Microsoft may declare veteran Executive Satya Nadella as new CEO
Veteran Microsoft Corp. executive Satya Nadella has emerged as the leading candidate to be the software company's next chief executive, as Microsoft directors wrestle with the role of co-founder and Chairman Bill Gates, according to people familiar with the matter.
The people cautioned that the board hasn't made a final decision on Mr. Nadella, or Mr. Gates's role.
One of the people said Microsoft directors are scheduled to meet next week, and could name a new CEO after that. The person said directors are "likely to go inside" for a successor to Steve Ballmer, who announced in August plans to step down within a year.
Another person familiar with the matter said, "It's a conservative board and they are leaning toward the conservative choice."
Mr. Nadella is a 22-year Microsoft veteran who is now in charge of Microsoft's technology to run corporate computer servers and other back-end technology. He is well respected inside the company and well regarded by Wall Street analysts.
But he's never led a company nor run a firm the size of Microsoft, which recorded about $78 billion in revenue in the year ended June 30, 2013. As head of Microsoft's former corporate-software division, he oversaw a business with about $20 billion in annual revenue — bigger than yearly sales at eBay Inc.
The people cautioned that the board hasn't made a final decision on Mr. Nadella, or Mr. Gates's role.
One of the people said Microsoft directors are scheduled to meet next week, and could name a new CEO after that. The person said directors are "likely to go inside" for a successor to Steve Ballmer, who announced in August plans to step down within a year.
Another person familiar with the matter said, "It's a conservative board and they are leaning toward the conservative choice."
Mr. Nadella is a 22-year Microsoft veteran who is now in charge of Microsoft's technology to run corporate computer servers and other back-end technology. He is well respected inside the company and well regarded by Wall Street analysts.
But he's never led a company nor run a firm the size of Microsoft, which recorded about $78 billion in revenue in the year ended June 30, 2013. As head of Microsoft's former corporate-software division, he oversaw a business with about $20 billion in annual revenue — bigger than yearly sales at eBay Inc.
