Ballmer to exit with Microsoft shift in progress
Chief will leave within a year, leaving company's bid to gain sway in mobile era to successor
Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer, who has struggled to adapt to an era of declining personal-computer sales, will retire after more than a decade leading the world's largest software maker.
Ballmer, 57, plans to step down within the next 12 months, Microsoft said yesterday in a statement. Microsoft's lead independent director, John Thompson, will lead the search for his successor, heading a committee that will also include Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
Ballmer, who took over the chief executive role from Gates in 2000, has been working to bolster Microsoft's performance in areas like mobile computing as consumers gravitate to smartphones and tablets - and away from the PCs that have long been powered by Microsoft's flagship Windows software.
Last month, he presided over the biggest reorganisation of Microsoft in a decade in a bid to speed development of hardware and services as the company's Windows business suffers from the shrinking PC market and poor demand for Windows-based mobile devices.
"There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time," Ballmer wrote in a memo to employees yesterday that was posted on Microsoft's website.
There is never a perfect time for this type of transition … 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."