Bangalore: Steve Ballmer announced that he’s quitting the top job at Microsoft and will stay on until a successor is found.

Gates will be part of the small committee that is entrusted with finding a successor and it will be chaired by John Thompson, the board's lead independent director. The committee will consider both internal and external candidates.

Microsoft, in its 38-year history, had only two CEOs- one, the founder Bill Gates, and other, Steve Ballmer who succeeded Gates in 2000. This fact and the huge responsibility on the next CEO to successfully steer the company in a world dominated by mobile devices and social media makes the selection process tougher. Nevertheless, there already are 9 contenders to head the software behemoth, read to know them as compiled by Times Of India.

#9 Kevin Turner

As Microsoft's chief operating officer, Kevin Turner lead the company’s global sales, marketing and services organization of more than 47,000 employees in more than 190 countries. Under his leadership, the sales and marketing group delivered more than $77 billion in revenue in fiscal 2012. Turner oversees worldwide sales, field marketing, services, support and partner channels as well Microsoft Stores and corporate support functions including Information Technology, Worldwide Licensing & Pricing and Operations.

Turner spent nearly 20 years at Wal-Mart Stores, where he rose through the ranks and was named the youngest corporate officer ever at Wal-Mart at age 29.

Read Also: Top 10 Ultra Wealthy Technopreneurs and 10 Hidden Tricks On Your Android Device