Xbox boss Phil Spencer to retire; Asha Sharma named CEO

After nearly 40 years with Microsoft, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer is set to retire on Monday, February 23. Xbox's current president Sarah Bond will also resign, after joining the company in 2017. Spencer will be replaced as CEO by Asha Sharma, who is currently serving as the product development lead and president of Microsoft's CoreAI product.

Before working with Microsoft, Sharma was COO at Instacart and is on the board of Home Depot. In an email to staff, Spencer said he was "stepping back and starting the next chapter of my life," though he will remain at Xbox "through the summer" as an advisor. He added, "Working with her over the past several months has given me tremendous confidence.

She brings genuine curiosity, clarity and a deep commitment to understanding players, creators, and the decisions that shape our future." Matt Booty, current head of Xbox Game Studios, will move up to become executive vice president and chief content officer, reporting directly to Sharma.

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