Nadella makes his mark with top exec shake-up

Tony Bates and Tami Reller head for the exit as former Democrat advisor Mark Penn jumps into strategic role

Microsoft bigwigs Tami Reller and Tony Bates are heading for the exit door as new boss Nadella reshuffles his top-level executive team, according to reports.

Business development boss Bates, once tipped as a potential replacement for Ballmer, is reportedly set to leave the firm shortly as former head of advanced strategy Eric Rudder takes over his duties.

Tami Reller, Microsoft's executive vice president for marketing, is also understood to be on her way out, with the software giant's chief marketing officer Chris Capossela taking over the reins.

People familiar with the matter talking to tech blog Re/code also pointed to a promotion for former Microsoft advertising boss Mark Penn, who is set to become a right-hand man for Nadella as the vendor's chief strategy officer.

Penn was responsible for Microsoft's attack on Google with its "Don't Get Scroogled" privacy campaign during his time at the firm and before that advised Hillary Clinton during her failed presidential campaign in 2008.

Nadella was made chief executive of Microsoft earlier this year after leading the firm's enterprise and cloud division - the most recent of the wide-spanning range of roles he has undertaken during his 22-year stint at the company. He replaced Steve Ballmer who now sits on the board of directors.

Microsoft declined to address the reshuffle reports and said it does not comment on rumours or speculation.