Microsoft names Nadella as new boss

Technology giant Microsoft has said Satya Nadella will succeed Steve Ballmer as its next chief executive.

Nadella is currently Microsoft's head of Cloud and Enterprise, which builds and runs the firm's computing platforms and developer tools.

In August, Ballmer said he would retire within 12 months. Leaders from a range of industries are rumoured to have been considered for the post.

Microsoft also said Bill Gates would step down as chairman of the company.

Gates will take up a new role as technology adviser.

Microsoft's lead independent director John Thompson is to take over from Gates as the company's chairman.

Thompson led the search committee for Microsoft's new chief executive, and said last year that more than 100 possible candidates had been identified.

NEW LEADERSHIP

Nadella, 44, is Microsoft's third chief executive. The Indian-born executive joined the company in 1992 and he has degrees in electronics, computer science and business administration.

He previously headed up its server and tools business before being put in charge of the unit that built Microsoft's Cloud OS service, which powers products such as Bing, Skype and Xbox Live.

Investors have been calling for new leadership at the technology giant, saying it needs a significant shakeup in order to become more innovative and profitable.

However, some critics have pointed out that Nadella has had no experience of running a company, let alone one as big as Microsoft.