Microsoft appoints ex-LinkedIn Kevin Scott as new CTO

Software products pioneer Microsoft has named Kevin Scott to a newly created role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the company. With this appointment, Scott will join Microsoft’s senior leadership team, reporting directly to Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella. This is an expansion of Scott’s new role at LinkedIn as senior Vice President of Infrastructure. As Microsoft’s CTO, Scott is expected to drive strategic, cross-company initiatives to maximize Microsoft’s impact with members and customers.

“We are thrilled that Kevin will bring to Microsoft his unique expertise developing platforms and services that empower people and organizations. Kevin’s first area of focus is to bring together the world’s leading professional network and professional cloud,” Nadella said.

According to Microsoft, Scott will continue to play an active role at LinkedIn as Senior Vice President of Infrastructure and remain a member of LinkedIn’s executive management team. His distinguished 20-year career spans both academia and industry as a researcher, engineer and leader. Prior to his role as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations at LinkedIn, Scott held a number of engineering leadership roles at Google and AdMob. Scott is an adviser to several Silicon Valley startups, an active angel investor and founder of the nonprofit organization Behind the Tech.

“The thing that gets me up in the morning and that has always excited me about technology is its role in empowering people and helping to enrich their lives. I am very optimistic about where Microsoft is headed and how we can continue to use technology to solve some of society’s most important challenges,” Scott said.