On the same day, the company’s founder and chairman Bill Gates has announced he will step down from his post and take up the role of technology adviser, while retaining a seat on the board. Director John Thompson is set to take over from Gates as the company's chairman.
The technology giant began looking for a new CEO in August last year when outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer announced he would retire within a year, once the company had chosen an appropriate successor.
Nadella has worked at the company since 1992, most recently as VP in the company's business and online services divisions.
"During this time of transformation, there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella," said Gates. "Satya is a proven leader with hardcore engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together. His vision for how technology will be used and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs, as the company enters its next chapter of expanded product innovation and growth."
