With Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on the out, the devices and services giant has been searching for a replacement CEO for a while now. With the company reorganization and restructuring in full effect, Microsoft has narrowed down the list of potential CEO candidates to just five people.
On the “external” list of candidates are Ford chief Alan Mulally and former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop. On the “internal” list of candidates, former Skype CEO Tony Bates and the company’s cloud and enterprise chief Satya Nadella are in the running. The name of the fifth candidate is currently unknown.
Microsoft started out with a list of 40 potential CEO candidates. “The names of other candidates could not be learned, but the search committee is interviewing executives from a wide range of sectors, including life sciences and consumer,” Reuters stated in a report earlier today.
Steve Ballmer announced his retirement “within the next 12 months” on August of last year, on the heels of the company’s reorganization. The Microsoft/Nokia deal came immediately after Ballmer’s announcement, which sparked widespread rumors that Stephen Elop would be the next CEO. Elop previously ran Microsoft’s business software division before leaving to Nokia in 2010 and lets not forget he as experience as a CEO.
Who do you think will be the next CEO?
Further reading: Microsoft, Steve Ballmer
