Here’s how Microsoft’s new CEO pick signals a change in direction
Microsoft’s new chief executive Satya Nadella comes from an entirely different background to the executives who led Microsoft previously.
Steve Ballmer, who Nadella replaces, comes from a sales background having worked in the company’s Sales and Support division from 1992 to 1998 where he made his name as a prominent salesperson and evangelist of the Microsoft brand.
As chief executive Ballmer led Microsoft’s finances to record-breaking highs, but is widely regarded as ceeding the company’s position as a leader of innovation to rivals Apple and Samsung.
Nadella instead comes from Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure division with his work in developing online components for Xbox, Office and Bing.
His appointment could signal a break from both Ballmer’s, and before him Bill Gates, direction for Microsoft as predominantly a software-sales business.
With rivals Google and Apple finding incredible success as cloud service and hardware businesses respectively, Microsoft’s appointment could suggest that it has chosen which company it hopes to chase.
At 4pm Microsoft will hold a webcast with Nadella where we may get the first signals on what this shift means for the company.
Nadella was scheduled to speak at Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference on 13 February, however it is unclear whether he will still attend.