Microsoft has announced that Bill Gates has stepped down from the company’s Board of Directors so he can “dedicate more time to his philanthropic priorities including global health, development, education, and his increasing engagement in tackling climate change” – a decision that may have been fueled by the pandemic that’s sweeping the world today.
The billionaire co-founder will continue to serve as Technology Advisor at Microsoft, but he’s also stepping down from his position on the board of Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate holding company that owns Duracell, Fruit of the Loom, GEICO, and other well-known brands.
Gates elaborated on the decision on his Linkedin page and noted that it didn’t mean he was 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,” said Gates. “I feel more optimistic than ever about the progress the company is making and how it can continue to benefit the world.”
“It’s been a tremendous honor and privilege to have worked with and learned from Bill over the years,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. “Bill founded our company with a belief in the democratizing force of software and a passion to solve society’s most pressing challenges. And Microsoft and the world are better for it. The board has benefited from Bill’s leadership and vision. And Microsoft will continue to benefit from Bill’s ongoing technical passion and advice to drive our products and services forward. I am grateful for Bill’s friendship and look forward to continuing to work alongside him to realize our mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”