Bill Gates, now on Microsoft's board as founder and technology adviser
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has stepped down from his role as chairman of the company’s board of directors to take up a new role on the board as founder and technology adviser.
Gates’ new role include devoting more time to the company, Microsoft said, and supporting new CEO Satya Nadella in “shaping technology and product direction”.
John Thompson, lead independent director for the board of directors, will replace Gates as chairman of the board. Thompson will remain an independent director on the board, as well.
Besides Gates and Nadella, Microsoft’s board now consists of:
- Former CEO Steve Ballmer (whom Nadella has replaced)
- Dina Dublon, former CFO of JPMorgan Chase
- Maria M Klawe, president of Harvey Mudd College
- Stephen J Luczo, chairman and CEO of Seagate Technology PLC
- David F Marquardt, general partner at August Capital
- Charles H Noski, former vice-chairman of Bank of America Corp
- Dr Helmut Panke, former chairman of the board of management at BMW Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
- John W Thompson, CEO of Virtual Instruments.
Seven of the 10 board members are independent of Microsoft, which is consistent with the requirement in the company’s governance guidelines that a substantial majority be independent.
