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Satya Nadella named Microsoft CEO

Nadella, who is 46, replaces Steve Ballmer and becomes only the third leader in the software company's 38-year history. Image courtesy of Microsoft

TORONTO – Microsoft has officially named Satya Nadella as its new CEO.

Nadella, 46, joined Microsoft in 1992 and helped guide the company through major strategic and technical shifts, including the development of Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure supporting Bing, Xbox, Office and other services. He has been an executive in some of the company’s fastest-growing and most-profitable businesses, including Office and its server and tools business.

“During this time of transformation, there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella,” said Microsoft founder Bill Gates in a press release.

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“Satya is a proven leader with hard-core engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together. His vision for how technology will be used and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs as the company enters its next chapter of expanded product innovation and growth.”

He beat out possible candidates including former Nokia CEO Canadian Stephen Elop and Ford Motor’s current chief Alan Mulally.

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Nadella will be the third CEO of Microsoft replacing outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer.

The company also announced that Gates will step down as chairman to assume a new role on the Board as Founder and Technology Advisor, leaving him to devote more time to the company. Gates has focused largely on his philanthropic efforts in the last few years.

John Thomson will be the company’s new chairman.

– With files from The Associated Press

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