End of an era! Tech icon Bill Gates steps down from Microsoft's Board
San Fransisco, Mar 14: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates who has done the most contribution by developing amazing software in the world of technology and who is known as ‘tech icon’, has stepped down from the company’s board.
#BillGates, the world's second-richest person, has announced that he was stepping down from the board of directors of #Microsoft , the company he co-founded in 1975 with the late Paul Allen. pic.twitter.com/7lNlrckyh4
— IANS (@ians_india) March 14, 2020
The billionaire plans to dedicate more time to his philanthropic activities, “including global health, development, education, and his increasing engagement in tackling climate change,” Microsoft said. He and his wife Melinda are co-chairs of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropic organization.
The billionaire announced Friday that he’s leaving the Microsoft board entirely as well as his seat on the board of Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate headed by fellow billionaire Warren Buffett.
Gates left his CEO position in 2000, handing the company reins to Steve Ballmer to devote more time to his charitable foundation. He gave up the role of chairman at the same time Nadella became Microsoft's third CEO in 2014. Since then he has been a board member.
"It's been a tremendous honor and privilege to have worked with and learned from Bill over the years," Microsoft chief executive and company veteran Satya Nadella said in a release.
"Bill founded our company with a belief in the democratizing force of software and a passion to solve society's most pressing challenges, and Microsoft and the world are better for it." Nadella said Microsoft would continue to benefit from Gates' "technical passion and advice" in his continuing role as a technical advisor.
"I am grateful for Bill's friendship and look forward to continuing to work alongside him," Nadella said.