Co-Founder and CEO, Microsoft – 1975-2000
While his reign at Microsoft is now but a distant memory, Bill Gates’ indelible mark on the IT industry still looms large in the minds of our panellists.
Having co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with childhood friend Paul Allen, Gates led the software giant as CEO until 2000. He then relinquished his role as Chairman in 2014.
Some 15 of the channel leaders we approached put Gates in their top five, reflecting his seminal role in creating the PC industry as we know it today, as well as his philanthropy.
Six placed him top.
Leadership style
Gates was a CEO who loved to roll up his sleeves, writing code that shipped with Microsoft products as late as 1989. Few of the 29 other leaders in this countdown could match his obvious passion for his job (see video below).
Low points
Anti-trust litigation claiming Microsoft was a monopoly dogged Gates for 21 years (with the case finally being put to rest in 2011).
Killer quote
“Microsoft was founded with a vision of a computer on every desk and in every home. It’s grown by leaps and bounds and today empowers every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more.” Bill Gates in a 2022 LinkedIn post
What our panellists said about Gates
Martin Hellawell, Chair at Raspberry Pi Limited, Gamma Communications PLC and musicMagpie PLC
Dave Stevinson, CEO, QBS Technology Group
Michelle Cope, Sales Director, Trustco
Richard Tubb, IT Business Growth Expert, Tubblog
Steve Rigby, Co-CEO, SCC
How did IT Channel Oxygen compile The Century’s Greatest Vendor Leaders? See here