Bill Gates “Steps Up” To New Role At Microsoft As Technology Advisor, Thompson Becomes Chairman

Along with the news today that Satya Nadella will be the next CEO of Microsoft, another big change in the executive ranks: Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder, is leaving his role as chairman of the board and taking a position as “Founder and Technology Advisor”. Microsoft terms the change as a “step up” from his previous role, in that it will see Gates once again taking a more active role in the company. John Thompson, who joined the board in February 2012 and is the lead independent director on the board of directors, becomes the new chairman.

Microsoft notes that Gates “will devote more time to the company, supporting Nadella in shaping technology and product direction.”

For those who have been observing Microsoft, Gates’ move is not unsurprising. We have been hearing that he’s been involved at a very high level with some of the most strategic moves at the company in terms of product and M&A for a while now. Gates as a potential CEO candidate had been been bandied about, too, although even Gates himself has been internally championing Nadella as Steve Ballmer’s replacement. Meanwhile, as part of the new leadership succession there have been reports that Gates would take a more active product role in the company.

In recent years, Gates has put a lot of time, effort and money into philanthropic ventures with his wife Melinda, and has also dabbled in startup investments himself.

The new composition of the Microsoft board is as follows: Satya Nadella; Steve Ballmer; Dina Dublon, former Chief Financial Officer of JPMorgan Chase; Bill Gates; Maria M. Klawe, President of Harvey Mudd College; Stephen J. Luczo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Seagate Technology PLC; David F. Marquardt, General Partner at August Capital; Nadella; 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; and John Thompson, Chief Executive Officer 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.

More to come. Refresh for updates.