Axel Springer Awards: cricket, high tech and lots of glamor | Money

A very big stage and a touching surprise Microsoft Boss and cricket fans Satya Nadella (56)!

The Indian-born CEO (220,000 employees, sales: $200 billion) was awarded the Axel Springer Award for his achievements “as an entrepreneur and as a person.”

Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner praised Nadella as “the most visionary CEO at a major technology platform.” He “not only led Microsoft to great success economically, but most importantly reinvented it culturally and strategically.”

Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner (right), award winner Satya Nadella (m.) and cricket professional Zaheer Khan (left)

Photo: NIELS STARNICK / BILD

Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner (left), award winner Satya Nadella (m.) and Friede Springer

Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner (left), award winner Satya Nadella (m.) and Friede Springer

Photo: Fabian Matzerath for BILD

Surprise guest for Satya Nadella, who has been a die-hard cricket fan since childhood: former national player Zaheer Khan (45), who gave a passionate speech about sporting wisdom that still shapes Nadella’s leadership style today: “Leadership, team spirit and respect for opponents. Mr. Nadella, you inspire us all to believe in our dreams. You make India proud!”

Dance, film, artificial intelligence – the evening depicted Nadella's impressive life story

Dance, film, artificial intelligence – the evening depicted Nadella’s impressive life story

Photo: IMAGE

BILD editor-in-chief Marion Horn, Springer supervisory board chairman Ralph Büchi and Springer board member Niddal Salah-Eldin (from left)

BILD editor-in-chief Marion Horn, Springer supervisory board chairman Ralph Büchi and Springer board member Niddal Salah-Eldin (from left)

Photo: Fabian Matzerath for BILD

The Microsoft boss appeared moved to thank the award and joked: “I thought I’d get an award in the conference room – now I’m meeting my cricket heroes, that’s crazy!”

The awards were celebrated with a spectacular light and dance show in front of more than 100 guests from politics, business, media and culture. These include Audi boss Hildegard Wortmann, SAP CEO Christian Klein, McDonald’s Germany boss Mario Federico and Volker Wissing, the FDP’s digital and transport minister.

Digital Minister Volker Wissing (FDP)

Digital Minister Volker Wissing (FDP)

Photo: NIELS STARNICK / BILD

SAP CEO Christian Klein

SAP CEO Christian Klein

Photo: © Wolf Lux @wolf_lux_photograph

In his commendation speech, Wissing stated: “Today we honor a special role model, a visionary, and a strong advocate of a moral approach to artificial intelligence.”

McDonald's boss in Germany: Mario Federico

McDonald’s boss in Germany: Mario Federico

Photo: Fabian Matzerath for BILD

BILD CEO Claudius Senst and entrepreneur Verena Pausder

BILD CEO Claudius Senst and entrepreneur Verena Pausder

Photo: Fabian Matzerath for BILD

Audi boss Hildegard Wortmann (right) with Audi marketing boss Linda Kurz

Audi boss Hildegard Wortmann (right) with Audi marketing boss Linda Kurz

Photo: Fabian Matzerath for BILD

Ambrose Fernandez

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