Bill Gates Steps Down From Microsoft & Berkshire Hathaway Boards
After having co-founded the $1.21 trillion company in 1975 with Paul Allen, who passed in 2018, Bill Gates is now leaving Microsoft, in addition to the board of Berkshire Hathaway.
Gates, who is among the tech company’s top shareholders, owning 1.36% of shares, states, “I have made the decision to step down from both of the public boards on which I serve – Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway – to dedicate more time to philanthropic priorities including global health and development, education, and my increasing engagement in tackling climate change. The leadership at the Berkshire companies and Microsoft has never been stronger, so the time is right to take this step.”
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Gates adds, “With respect to Microsoft, stepping down from the board in no way means stepping away from the company. Microsoft will always be an important part of my life’s work and I will continue to be engaged with Satya and the technical leadership to help shape the vision and achieve the company’s ambitious goals. I feel more optimistic than ever about the progress the company is making and how it can continue to benefit the world.”
Furthermore, Gates was CEO of Microsoft from 1975 until 2000, when Steve Ballmer took over. Currently, Satya Nadella holds the position, since 2014.
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Until 2014, Gates was also the director of the board, having left to dedicate more time to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2008.