Microsoft's hunt for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is on full swing as the board works towards finding a successor for Steve Ballmer, who will retire within the next 12 months.
The Redmond-based company's board is looking to find a new CEO by the end of 2013 and is "winnowing a list of candidates" per people with knowledge on the discussions.
Per a Bloomberg report, Microsoft's board is "narrowing its choices amid preliminary interviews" according to "the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private."
Ballmer announced his plans to retire within the next 12 months earlier in August. Post that Microsoft is believed to be looking for a successor.
"There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time," revealed Ballmer in August. "We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company's transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction."
Apparently, per two of the "people", a few candidates have opted not be considered for the post, which include eBay's CEO John Donahoe. Moreover, Microsoft;s board has also sought advice from veterans like Charles Giancarlo, MD at private-equity firm Silver Lake, per "other people with knowledge of the matter."
The board has allegedly also spoken to Paul Maritz, current CEO of cloud venture Pivotal, as well as Microsoft's business development and evangelism chief Tony Bates.
Jennifer Hakes (eBay spokesperson) let on that Donahoe wasn't available for comment. Moreover, Susan Sheehan (Nokia spokesperson) and Gordon Goldstein (spokesperson for Silver Lake) did not return calls for comment. Additionally, David Oro (spokesperson for Pivotal) declined to comment as well.
The board members, per the people with knowledge, have already been in talks with prospective candidates such as Ford Motor Co.'s CEO Alan Mullaly, as well as Nokia's ex-CEO Stephen Elop who is expected to join Microsoft post the latter's acquisition of the Nokia handset unit.
"Alan continues to focus on executing the One Ford plan, and we don't engage in speculation," revealed Jay Cooney with regard to Mullally, a Ford spokesperson.
Microsoft too is keeping mum as its spokesperson Frank Shaw declined to comment on specific candidates. Microsoft's directors have reportedly retained executive-search firm Heidrick & Struggles to sieve through both internal and external candidates.
