Redmond, Washington — Microsoft announced on October 1, 2025, that Judson Althoff will assume the role of CEO of its commercial business, overseeing sales, marketing, and operations. The move is part of a strategic shift designed to allow CEO Satya Nadella to concentrate more on Microsoft’s technical and AI ambitions.
Under the reorganization:
- Althoff will head a new commercial leadership team combining leaders across engineering, finance, sales, operations, and marketing.
- Microsoft’s marketing and operations functions are moved under the commercial unit, with Takeshi Numoto’s marketing team reporting to Althoff, while still aligning with Nadella on broader brand strategy.
- COO Carolina Dybeck Happe will continue reporting to Nadella but work closely with Althoff.
The company emphasized that this restructuring is not linked to Nadella’s departure but rather to better manage what he called a “tectonic AI platform shift.” Nadella said the change would allow engineering leaders and himself to be “laser focused” on technical priorities, including data center expansion, AI, systems architecture, and new product innovation.
By consolidating operations under a commercial umbrella, Microsoft aims to align business execution with product development and strengthen its competitive position in the global AI race.
