SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son to step down after nearly 40 years in charge

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son will step down as CEO after nearly 40 years in charge and will be replaced by Chief Operating Officer Marcelo Claure.<br><br>Claure will take the reins on June 22, the company said.<br><br>Son will continue to serve as chairman of the board.<br><br>SoftBank's founder has led the company since its inception in 1981, first as a software distributor before making its name as an investor in early-stage companies.<br><br>His company has made several gambles, including a significant investment in Chinese ride-hailing firm Didi, which went public in 2021.<br><br>In 2018, Claure was appointed as COO, where he oversaw global investments, the SoftBank Latin America Fund, and the SoftBank Opportunity Fund.<br><br>Son said Claure has been instrumental in shaping the company's strategy and growing its portfolio of companies.<br><br>SoftBank's Vision Fund is one of the world's largest tech investors, with stakes in companies such as Uber, DoorDash, and Instacart.<br><br>&#x200B;