According to Reuters 3 of the top 20 Microsoft investors want founder Bill Gates to step down as chairman because his presence "effectively blocks the adoption of new strategies," thus limiting the powers of a new CEO.
Speaking to anonymous sources, Reuters reports the shareholders believe Gates wields "power out of proportion to his declining shareholding," even if he spends most of his time on philanthropic foundations.
Gates is the largest Microsoft shareholder, with a 4.5% stake in the $277 billion company-- a stake that, thanks to pre-set sales plan created when Microsoft went public in 1986, will drop down to nothing by 2018.
In the meantime Microsoft still looks for a Steve Ballmer replacement, who is set to retire within 12 months. Early rumours pointed out former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop (now Microsoft EVP following the Nokia devices division acquisition) as top candidate, but AllThingsD reports Ford CEO Alan Mulally currently stands atop the CEO candidate list.
Back in September Mulally denied he had plans of leaving the car maker, in an email saying "I continue to be focused on serving Ford … and I have my red Ford vest on right now!!” following Reuters reports of Mulally having the option to step down earlier than the end 2014 date set in his contract.
Mulally is credited with saving Ford from the brink of the bankruptcy faced by General Motors and Chrysler through the creation of a "One Ford" plan. Reportedly an amicable sort, he even shared business-reorganisation tips with no other than Ballmer.
Other names supposedly making part of the game for the Microsoft throne include former Skype CEO (now MS exec) Tony Bates, Pivotal CEO Paul Maritz, Computer Sciences Corp (CSC) boss Mike Lawrie and-- wait for it!-- Bill Gates, who some investors believe would find more use at the company as CEO than chairman.
Funny how things go round, right?
Go Time for Gates to Go, Some Top Microsoft Investors Tell Board (Reuters)
Go Is Ford's Alan Mulally Now in the Lead to Be New CEO of Microsoft? (AllThingsD)
Go Ford Board Open to Earlier Exit for CEO Mulally (Reuters)
Go Microsoft Urged to Put Mulally, Lawrie on CEO Shortlist (Reuters)
