<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Steve Ballmer will retire as Microsoft CEO within the next year, the company has announced. Ballmer has held the post since January 2000, taking over from co-founder Bill Gates. He is currently overseeing major changes at Microsoft as it becomes a devices and services company.  &amp;quot;There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time,&amp;quot; said Ballmer. &amp;quot;We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing senior leadership team. &amp;quot;My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company&amp;#039;s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction.&amp;quot; In a memo to staff, Ballmer spoke of his passion and enthusiasm for Microsoft, saying that he was proud of its achievements.  &amp;quot;This is an emotional and difficult thing for me to do. I take this step in the best interests of the company I love; it is the thing outside of my family and closest friends that matters to me most,&amp;quot; he wrote. &amp;quot;Microsoft has all its best days ahead. Know you are part of the best team in the industry and have the right technology assets. We cannot and will not miss a beat in these transitions. I am focused and driving hard, and know I can count on all of you to do the same. Let&amp;#039;s do ourselves proud.&amp;quot; Ballmer will stay in the post until his successor has been found and formally appointed, and a special committee, chaired by the Microsoft board&amp;#039;s lead independent director John Thompson, will oversee the process. Microsoft chairman Gates, who will also sit on the special committee, said that he would &amp;quot;work closely with other members of the board to identify a great new CEO&amp;quot;, adding: &amp;quot;We&amp;#039;re fortunate to have Steve in his role until the new CEO assumes these duties.&amp;quot; External and internal candidates are being considered for the vacancy. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/news/a509512/steve-ballmer-to-retire-as-microsoft-ceo-within-the-next-12-months/>