Asha Sharma named EVP and CEO of Microsoft Gaming as Spencer Retires

asha sharma will become Executive Vice President and CEO, Microsoft Gaming, a change announced in company communications dated Feb. 20, 2026 (ET). The move coincides with the planned retirement of long-time gaming leader Phil Spencer, effective Monday, Feb. 23 (ET), and a reorganization that promotes Matt Booty while Xbox President Sarah Bond has resigned.

Asha Sharma and leadership shifts

The announcement names Asha Sharma as head of Microsoft Gaming, reporting to the company CEO. Her recent tenure at the company spans the last two years, and her prior roles include Chief Operating Officer at Instacart and a vice presidency at Meta. Additional context in internal communications notes she joined the company in 2024 and holds industry leadership experience that the company highlighted as relevant to leading its gaming business.

Alongside Sharma's appointment, Matt Booty will become Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer and will report to her. The reorganization places content leadership and platform leadership in a single reporting line intended to align studio investments and platform innovation.

Phil Spencer departure and timing

Phil Spencer has announced his decision to retire after a long tenure at the company, a transition noted as effective Monday, Feb. 23 (ET). Internal remarks referenced his more than three decades at the company, including more than a decade leading the gaming business, and thanked him for his leadership through multiple strategic shifts and acquisitions. Spencer will remain involved in an advisory capacity through the summer to support the transition.

The handoff is presented as a planned succession rather than an abrupt change, with executive communications stressing continuity while positioning new leadership to steer the business into its next phase.

Content strategy and forward look

Company messages framed the move as part of a broader focus on platform, content and the player community. Management noted that the gaming organization reaches over 500 million monthly active users and is marking its 25th year, and that the group spans nearly 40 studios producing major franchises.

Sharma outlined initial priorities in staff communications that emphasize building great games and recommitting to core players and console as a central offering. The promotion of Booty to Chief Content Officer was presented as a concrete step to back studio autonomy and pipeline delivery, with an explicit aim to invest in franchises and new creative ideas.

Given the stated objectives, observable indicators to watch in the coming months include staffing and investment decisions for studios, any shifts in content release schedules, and messaging tied to console strategy. The transition timetable includes Spencer's advisory role through the summer, which provides an interim window for leadership to operationalize early plans without an immediate change in external execution.

• Key takeaways: leadership change, Spencer retirement effective Feb. 23 (ET), Sharma appointed EVP and CEO, Booty promoted to Chief Content Officer.