Bill Gates steps down from Microsoft, Berkshire Hathaway Boards to focus more time on philanthropic priorities

Just three days ago, we wrote a story about Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates when his foundation, Gates Foundation, announced a partnership with Wellcome Trust and Mastercard to launch a $125 million Therapeutics Accelerator to combat coronavirus (COVID19) epidemic.

Today, 64-year old Gates announced that he is stepping down from two Board of Director positions he holds at Microsoft and Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway. In a LinkedIn post titled Focusing My Time, Gates said he has made a decision to step down to dedicate more time to his philanthropic priorities including global health, development, education, and his increasing engagement in tackling climate change.

“I have made the decision to step down from both of the public boards on which I serve – Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway – to dedicate more time to philanthropic priorities including global health and development, education, and my increasing engagement in tackling climate change. The leadership at the Berkshire companies and Microsoft has never been stronger, so the time is right to take this step,” Gates said.

In a separate announcement, Microsoft has also announced the change in the Board in a press release. “It’s been a tremendous honor and privilege to have worked with and learned from Bill over the years. 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,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said.

Gates co-founded Microsoft with late Paul Allen on April 4, 1975.  He led Microsoft since inception until January 2000 when Gates steps down as Microsoft CEO. On June 27, 2008, Gates transitioned out of a day-to-day role in the company to spend more time on his work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He served as Microsoft’s chairman of the board until February 4, 2014.