Efter 33 år på världens största mjukvaruföretag, varav 13 år som verkställande direktör, meddelar Steve Ballmer i ett internt brev till företagets anställda att han lämnar sin position. Målet är att gå i pension inom de närmaste 12 månaderna, eller så snart en efterträdare utses.

Ballmer började som affärsansvarig på Microsoft 1980 och blev företagets 30:e anställda. Därefter har han haft flera tyngre roller innan han tog rodret som vd år 2000, däribland ett övergripande ansvar för Microsofts verksamhet och utveckling av nya operativsystem.

[quote]We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company’s transformation to a devices and services company [...] We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction.[/quote]

I brevet meddelar Ballmer att bolaget behöver en vd som långsiktigt kan vara med och förändra verksamheten från att vara helt inriktad på mjukvara till mer fokus mot enheter och tjänster (eng. devices and services).

Microsofts styrelse har inrättat en särskild kommitté, med Bill Gates i spetsen, för att välja ut bolagets nästa verkställande direktör. Söka efter kandidater kommer ske både internt och externt, där Ballmer sitter kvar som vd till dess att en efterträdare utsetts.

Steve Ballmers avgångsbrev

I am writing to let you know that I will retire as CEO of Microsoft within the next 12 months, after a successor is chosen. There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our transformation to a devices and services company focused on empowering customers in the activities they value most. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction. You can read the press release on Microsoft News Center.

This is a time of important transformation for Microsoft. Our new Senior Leadership team is amazing. The strategy we have generated is first class. Our new organization, which is centered on functions and engineering areas, is right for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Microsoft is an amazing place. I love this company. I love the way we helped invent and popularize computing and the PC. I love the bigness and boldness of our bets. I love our people and their talent and our willingness to accept and embrace their range of capabilities, including their quirks. I love the way we embrace and work with other companies to change the world and succeed together. I love the breadth and diversity of our customers, from consumer to enterprise, across industries, countries, and people of all backgrounds and age groups.

I am proud of what we have achieved. We have grown from $7.5 million to nearly $78 billion since I joined Microsoft, and we have grown from employing just over 30 people to almost 100,000. I feel good about playing a role in that success and having committed 100 percent emotionally all the way. We have more than 1 billion users and earn a great profit for our shareholders. We have delivered more profit and cash return to shareholders than virtually any other company in history.

I am excited by our mission of empowering the world and believe in our future success. I cherish my Microsoft ownership, and look forward to continuing as one of Microsoft’s largest owners.

This is an emotional and difficult thing for me to do. I take this step in the best interests of the company I love; it is the thing outside of my family and closest friends that matters to me most.

Microsoft has all its best days ahead. Know you are part of the best team in the industry and have the right technology assets. We cannot and will not miss a beat in these transitions. I am focused and driving hard and know I can count on all of you to do the same. Let’s do ourselves proud.

Steve

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