Why Bill Gates is stepping down from Microsoft Board
Technologist, business leader, and philanthropist Bill Gates has taken to professional network LinkedIn to announce his move to step down from the Microsoft Board. Gates made the decision to step down from both of the public boards at Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway and wish to dedicate more time to his philanthropic priorities including global health and development, education, and increase his 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. Serving on the Berkshire board has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Warren and I were the best of friends long before I joined and will be long after,” said Bill Gates in a post. “I look forward to our continued partnership as co-trustees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and co-founders of The Giving Pledge,” he added.
Bill Gates dropped out of college to start Microsoft with his childhood friend Paul Allen on April 4, 1975, at a time when most Americans use typewriters. They developed and sold basic interpreters for the Altair 8800, an early computer. It rose to dominate the personal computer operating system market with MS-DOS in the mid-1980s, followed by Microsoft Windows. It eventually grew into a major multinational technology corporation. In 1987, the year after Microsoft went public, 31-year-old Gates became the world’s youngest billionaire. Microsoft is now one of the most highly valued companies in the world with a market cap of $1.21 trillion.
Bill has been passionate about Microsoft’s work and has always been an active teamplayer in the in the capacities he has served. He announced that his stepping down was in no way a means to step away from the company.
“With respect to Microsoft, stepping down from the board in no way means stepping away from the company,” Gates said. “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.”
The tech billionaire was Microsoft’s CEO until 2000 when Steve Ballmer took over the role, with Satya Nadella taking over in 2014 and still serves as the company’s CEO up to date. Bill Gates is among Microsoft’s top shareholders, owning about 1.36% of the shares. Bill wants to dedicate his time to contribute effectively in addressing the challenges facing the globe.
“I am looking forward to this next phase as an opportunity to maintain the friendships and partnerships that have meant the most to me continue to contribute to two companies of which I am incredibly proud, and effectively prioritize my commitment to addressing some of the world’s toughest challenges,” He wrote.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which Bill Gates intends to focus on, committed $5 Million to help public health agencies in Greater Seattle Area respond to the now declared global pandemic, COVID-19. The foundation also announced up to $100 million to support Africa’s fight against coronavirus in improving detection, isolation, treatment efforts and the protection of the populations at high risk. Bill Gates has made a substantial pledge to help researchers in finding a solution to this global pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives across the world.
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