Microsoft cloud-computing head Satya Nadella is most likely to be its new chief executive. This would conclude a five-month long search for a heavy-hitter to lead the world's largest software company.

Satya Nadella, executive vice president of Microsoft's Cloud and Enterprise group is a native of Hyderabad where Microsoft has its largest non-US research centre - was promoted to run the company's fast expanding cloud, or internet-based, computing initiatives in July last year as part of current CEO Steve Ballmer's radical re-organisation of the company.

Previously, Nadella was president of Microsoft's $19 billion Server and Tools Business and led the transformation of the business and technology from client-server software to cloud infrastructure and services. His prior roles include senior vice president of R&D for the Online Services Division and vice president of the Microsoft Business Division.

Before joining Microsoft in 1992, Nadella was a member of the technology staff at Sun Microsystems.

Nadella earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Mangalore University, a master's degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.