14 DAY TRIAL // Former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop has joined Microsoft and is now considered a leading candidate for the CEO seat, but it turns out that more high-profile executives of the Finnish mobile phone producer could join the tech giant.
Citing Jukka Oksaharju, of Nordic savings bank Nordnet, ZDNet is reporting that Jorma Ollila, a former chief executive and ex-chairman of Nokia’s board, might join Microsoft’s board of directors in the near future, as Redmond continues the transition to devices and services.
This new appointment might not be surprising at all, especially because Microsoft is set not only to continue investments in the mobile market, but also to reshuffle the upper management and bring outside executives on board.
Ollila, who previously worked for Shell and is also a board member of Ford and UPM-Kymmene, a Finnish forestry company, could be right guy to support Microsoft’s efforts in the mobile industry if Stephen Elop takes over from outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer.
"Joining Microsoft's board wouldn't be a surprise in itself, but it would be the crowning achievement of Nokia's sale and Ollila's career," Oksaharju said.
"Who would have more experience in global telecommunication business? The entire industry was created during his reign."
Microsoft is yet to issue a statement on this and until a new CEO is found, the company is very likely to remain completely tight-lipped on its management changes.
Rumor has it that even Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates might resign from his chairman position, as three top investors are looking for more significant changes at the company’s helm. The shareholders apparently believe that Gates has too much power and he could block the ideas of the new CEO, thus preventing the software giant from adopting a new trend in the industry.
Bill Gates, who once had 49 percent of Microsoft, is now holding a 4 percent stock package, which makes him the largest individual shareholder right now.