Bill Gates has long been the figurehead of Microsoft, and has been regularly ranked as the richest person in the world. As well as leaving the position as CEO thirteen years ago, Gates' involvement with Microsoft has decreased as he devotes more time to philanthropic endeavours through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He also sells a tens of millions of his shares every year, consistently reducing his financial stake-holding in the company he co-founded. Gates currently owns approximately 4.5% of Microsoft (making him the largest individual shareholder).
Despite his declining involvement with the tech giant, a report from Reuters suggests that a trio of major Microsoft investors are unhappy with the influence Gates still wields at the company. Although the unnamed investors in question only own around 5% of the company shares between them, they are requesting the board of directors ask Gates to step down from his current position as chairperson.
It remains to be seen whether they will be successful in their petition: while there is a movement for 'new blood' and innovation in Microsoft, others suggest that Gates should actually reclaim a more active role to steer the company back on course.
Microsoft's board of directors is currently seeking a replacement for current CEO Steve Ballmer, who in August announced his intention to step down within the next year. Nokia and Ford CEOs are among the many candidates being rumoured as possible successors to Gates and Ballmer.
Although Microsoft still retains a huge majority in the desktop market, with over 90% market share, that majority has been slowly decreasing along with the reduced market for desktop computers themselves. Apple and Google have continued to overshadow Microsoft's share in the mobile and tablet markets.
Microsoft was also strongly criticised for the launch of Windows 8 operating system, with a significant revision to their flagship Windows OS imminent. Share prices in Microsoft have mostly remained static for a decade or so, with some investors now anxious to see a return to financial growth.
However, the company has been making moves to challenge its competitors and reclaim its market share. Microsoft's recent €5.4 billion buyout of Nokia, for example, marks a strong commitment to the mobile market, while they've also announced a new series of Surface tablet computers. They also continue to be a major force in the game console market, with the next-generation Xbox One due to launch next month.
