Former Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer steps down as board director
Former Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer has announced he is leaving the board of the computer giant to concentrate on his new passion, the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team.
Ballmer wrote of his intention in a letter to Microsoft boss Satya Nadella yesterday, although the move had been widely expected for some time. “I think it would be impractical for me to continue to serve on the board, and it is best for me to move off,” Ballmer said, adding: “I see a combination of the Clippers, civic contribution, teaching and study taking a lot of time.” His purchase of the Clippers was finalised last week in a $2bn (£1.2bn) deal, following the controversial banning of former owner Donald Sterling.
Ballmer took over the reins at Microsoft from Bill Gates in 2000 and was in charge until February this year. Since then it has been the first time someone other than Gates or Ballmer has been in charge.