Microsoft narrows down CEO shortlist; Stephen Elop still in the running

Microsoft are keen to get a new CEO by the end of the year. Reuters reports that the shortlist has been narrowed further with the heads of Ford, Skype, Azure and Stephen Elop from Nokia/MS still in the mix.

The original list of potentials apparently included as much as 40 names.

Interestingly, some investors are said to be interested in Bill Gates stepping down as chairman as he ‘stands in the way’ of Microsoft’s radical reform. Gates is focused on his philanthropy work and those close to him say he’s not going back to a CEO position any time soon.

Although Elop will be at Microsoft once the Nokia deal is done, and that he was once VP at MS, he is still seen as an external candidate until then.

The Nokia deal, which came soon after Ballmer’s surprise decision to retire, was widely seen as putting Elop among the list of successors

Two internal candidates, from Skype and Azure have been gaining prominence.

Source: Reuters

Cheers Alvester for the tip!

Category: Nokia