06-17-2021, 05:53 PM
![[Image: 210521115917-satya-nadella-0116-file-res...us-169.jpg]](https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/210521115917-satya-nadella-0116-file-restricted-medium-plus-169.jpg)
Hong Kong (CNN Business)Satya Nadella is now even more powerful at Microsoft.
The tech giant's CEO was named chairman of the board Wednesday, elevating his current role atop one of the world's most valuable companies.
Nadella, who has served as chief executive since 2014, has helped transform the PC maker into a leader in cloud computing in recent years, resulting in blockbuster earnings and a market cap of close to $2 trillion.
Microsoft (MSFT) said in a statement that Nadella had been "unanimously elected" to replace John Thompson in the position.
The news comes as the company grapples with the aftermath of a probe involving its co-founder.
Last month, news emerged of an affair between Bill Gates and an employee in 2000. Gates' representatives have acknowledged the relationship, which reportedly took place while he was chairman of the board.
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