Microsoft taking a new outlook on acquisitions

Under vice-president of business Peggy Johnson, the tech giant’s takeover strategy has evolved slowly but surely

Peggy Johnson of Microsoft: a classic hometown success story Picture: Fergal Phillips

The title wildly understates the pressure that came with the job. Officially, Peggy Johnson is Microsoft’s executive vice-president of business development. Far more importantly, she was the first big hire made by Satya Nadella when he took over as the tech goliath’s chief executive.

Johnson was anything but a serial mover prior to joining Microsoft. She is the classic hometown success story. She’s from San Diego, went to San Diego State, and then ...