Bill Gates resigns from Microsoft's boards

Forty-five years after founding his company, Bill Gates is resigning from the boards of Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway. Although he has not had a day-to-day role in the company since 45, he is now moving away completely to focus on his charitable endeavors.

Gates announced his decision in a Publication on LinkedIn, saying he wants to "devote more time to his charitable priorities", which have to do with global health and development, education and his commitment to tackling climate change.

This will likely include working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which Gates and his wife founded in 2000.

Bill Gates also stated that he would not leave Microsoft and that he implied that he would remain there in a kind of agreement with its current executives:

"Microsoft will always be an important part of my work life and I will continue to be ready with Satya [Nadella, Microsoft CEO] and technical leadership to help shape the vision and achieve the company 's ambitious goals. ”

Nadella Reported in a Microsoft Press Conference:

It has been a great honor and privilege to work and learn from Bill over the years… The board has benefited from Bill's leadership and vision. And Microsoft will continue to take advantage of Bill's continued technical passion and advice to promote our products and services. I am grateful for Bill's friendship and look forward to continuing to work with him to fulfill our mission to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more.

Regarding his position on Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway board, Gates said:

"My participation in the Berkshire council was one of the greatest honors of my career. Warren and I were best friends long ago and will continue to be. . ”

Gates, 64, was chairman of Microsoft until 2014.