Industry news

Gates to take on lesser role

Microsoft has announced that next month its chairman Bill Gates will step out of his day-to-day role at the firm while maintaining his role as chief.

The move is to enable the IT tycoon to spend time, and focus on, his global health and education work at his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

As part of a two-year transition process for the firm, Mr Gates will remain on board as chairman and a key development advisor while two of the company's chief technical officers will take on expanded roles.

Ray Ozzie will assume the title of chief software architect and Craig Mundie the chief research and strategy officer.

"Our business and technical leadership has never been stronger, and Microsoft is well-positioned for success in the years ahead. I feel very fortunate to have such great technical leaders like Ray and Craig at the company," said Mr Gates.

Microsoft was founded in 1975 and is now an IT world leader.