Microsoft won’t name the new CEO until ‘early 2014’
Microsoft’s Board of Directors reports that the process keeps rolling
Back in August Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was announced to retire from his position within 12 months and since then the Board of Directors has been in search for a replacement. Recently, we reported that Microsoft’s search of a new CEO narrowed to Ford CEO Alan Mulally and Microsoft’s could-executive Satya Nadella.
Even though the company hasn’t confirmed the rumors as Alan Mulally himself declined taking part of any speculations, it appeared that Nokia CEO Stephen Elop and Skype ex-president Tony Bates were pushed behind as being quite unlikely to be offered the position. For the past month, all speculations pointed out that it is Alan Mulally to succeed Steve Ballmer after he takes off.
In addition, Microsoft has only claimed that the final decision will be made until the end of this year, sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas in order to make the official announcement early next year. It’s painfully obvious that in little more than a week 2013 would be already behind us, but is that enough time for Microsoft to finally make the final decision? Apparently not, as today the company made it clear that the search continues and we won’t be getting answers this month.
John Thompson, a member of Microsoft’s Board of Directors, reports that the process keeps on rolling and the company is still researching and evaluating candidates, even though there are not more than 5 people left in the last round.
Still, no matter the recent speculations, it appears that Stephen Elop isn’t out of the ring yet and the Royal Rumble continues. In fact, the current favorites are exactly Mulally and Elop as being the stronger contenders.
On the other hand, Microsoft doesn’t feel like shedding light on the matter, so in the end we might get really surprised with its final decision in early 2014. This only leaves us hoping that ‘early 2014’ means January rather than March or April.
Microsoft has had only two CEOs in its 38-year history. As a Board, we are determined and confident that the company’s third CEO will lead Microsoft to renewed and continued success. We’re looking forward to 2014 and the opportunities and decisions that lie ahead.
Source: Microsoft
