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Adobe Names Anil Chakravarthy as CEO; Shantanu Narayen to Become Executive Chair
Adobe announced on Thursday that Anil Chakravarthy will become its next president and chief executive officer, succeeding longtime leader Shantanu Narayen. The software company stated the leadership transition, effective December 1, is designed to accelerate its growth and innovation in artificial intelligence.
Leadership Transition Details
Anil Chakravarthy, who currently serves as president of Adobe’s Customer Experience Orchestration business and worldwide field operations, will also join the company's board of directors. Shantanu Narayen will transition to the role of executive chair, where he will work with Chakravarthy to support the leadership change.
According to the announcement, Adobe's board unanimously approved the appointment following a special committee's six-and-a-half-month selection process. Narayen, who has led Adobe for decades, said Chakravarthy is the right leader to guide the company through its next phase of AI-driven growth.
Strategic Focus on AI
The appointment signals a strategic effort by Adobe to deepen its position in AI-powered software for creativity, productivity, and customer experience. Chakravarthy stated he would focus on driving growth in what he termed the next era of “agentic software,” as Adobe integrates AI more extensively across its product portfolio.
Incoming CEO's Track Record
AdChakravarthy is a seasoned executive with a significant history at Adobe and in the broader technology sector. He joined the company in January 2020 and has held progressively senior roles.
- During his tenure, he oversaw the expansion of Adobe’s Customer Experience Orchestration business.
- He was instrumental in developing products including Adobe CX Enterprise, GenStudio, and Brand Visibility.
- Chakravarthy also played a key role in scaling the Adobe Experience Platform and integrating the acquisitions of Workfront and Semrush.
Before Adobe, Chakravarthy was the chief executive of enterprise cloud data-management firm Informatica for four years. His prior experience includes executive positions at Symantec and VeriSign, as well as work at McKinsey & Company.
What's Next for Investors
Investors will be closely watching Adobe's upcoming third-quarter fiscal 2026 results, scheduled for September 10. The earnings call will be the next opportunity for the market to gain insight into the company's AI strategy, the adoption of new AI-powered products, and the growth outlook under the incoming leadership.
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