Brian Roberts left Microsoft in December 2005.

In his last position, Roberts led Microsoft’s Corporate Development organization, which sources, evaluates and executes Microsoft’s acquisitions and investments. These transactions increase shareholder value and achieve Microsoft’s strategic objectives by helping create important new Microsoft businesses, injecting top talent into the company and accelerating Microsoft’s time to market with innovative technologies. Microsoft has closed more than 70 acquisitions for approximately $6 billion of consideration since fiscal year 2000.

Before he was promoted to corporate vice president in late 2003, Roberts managed the Corporate Development team that supports the Client and Information Worker business groups. As a senior finance leader at Microsoft, Roberts also served on the company’s Finance Leadership Team

Roberts joined Microsoft in January 2001 after leaving Inktomi Corp., where he was vice president of Business Development and led the Corporate Development team. At Inktomi, Roberts drove corporate acquisition strategy and helped execute three significant mergers totaling nearly $2 billion. In addition, he managed Inktomi’s $200 million strategic venture program and funded investments in 15 portfolio companies.

Before working at Inktomi, Roberts spent seven years on Wall Street, providing advisory services for mergers and acquisitions. Most recently, he was a vice president at Lazard Frères & Co. LLC and supported the firm’s technology and telecommunications effort. During his earlier career in banking, Roberts played a major role in several transactions that were significant within this industry.

Roberts earned an MBA with distinction from Harvard University. He previously earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics with highest distinction from the University of California at Berkeley, where he was awarded the Departmental Citation recognizing the top economics graduate.

Roberts lives in Seattle with his wife and three children.