Well, we say “save the world” but it’s more likely that he’s going throw crate upon crate of cash at society’s problems. Let’s be fair, there are far worse ways to go about fixing the planet. He could done a cape and cowl and punch people, insisting he’s healing the planet. Sure thing, Batman. You’re not fooling anyone.
While many people might be surprised to hear that Bill Gates does still have some kind of role in the business he started 45 years ago (that’s right, hope you feel old now), the ex-CEO and owner of Microsoft has retained his position on the company’s board of directors since its inception. While his hands-on role has diminished over the years as he handed the cushion to his CEO chair off to successor after successor, Gates has still maintained a grip on the direction of his business by doing whatever it is members of a board do. That is until now, as Gates has officially announced his retirement from the Microsoft’s board of directors.
According to Gates, his decision was made so that he could “dedicate more time to his philanthropic priorities including global health, development, education, and his increasing engagement in tackling climate change.” We told you, Gates is gonna be saving the world one donation at a time.
While no longer an active member of Microsoft’s board, Gates will still serve as a “technology advisor” to current CEO Satya Nadella. “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,” wrote Gates via a post on LinkedIn.
While it’s already been six years since Bill Gates resigned as the chairman of Microsoft’s board, his departure from the governing body is his final step in removing himself from the business he founded. While he’s obviously still the owner of the company, he’ll have a far less of say in the day-to-day events at Microsoft. His stepping down comes at a time when the world could really be using his vested interest in societal health as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has just recently donated $100 million to combat COVID-19.