A close-up view shows corporate signage mounted on an exterior concrete wall at an Adobe office building in Lehi, Utah, United States, on August 26, 2026.
Charles-McClintock Wilson | Nurphoto | Getty Images
Adobe has appointed Anil Chakravarthy as its next president and chief executive officer, effective December 1st. Chakravarthy, who most recently led Adobe’s customer experience orchestration and worldwide field operations, will succeed Shantanu Narayen, who announced his intention to step down earlier this year. Narayen will transition to the role of executive chairman and work closely with Chakravarthy during this leadership change. This marks a significant baton pass for the software giant, with Narayen having helmed Adobe for 18 years since joining in 1998.
“Adobe’s opportunity ahead is limitless with our track record in creating new market categories and world-class products,” Narayen stated in a release. “Anil is an experienced transformational leader who leads with values, integrity and a deep knowledge of our business.”
Chakravarthy brings nearly seven years of experience at Adobe, joining the company after a tenure as CEO of enterprise data management firm Informatica. His connection with Adobe and Narayen was forged through a strategic partnership with Informatica. At the time of his move to Adobe, Chakravarthy expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to collaborate with Narayen and the broader leadership team.
The leadership transition occurs at a pivotal moment for Adobe, as the company grapples with investor concerns surrounding the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence on software makers. Following a strong performance in 2023, Adobe’s stock has experienced a notable downturn, shedding 25% in 2024 and an additional 21% in 2025. The stock has continued its decline in 2026, down 18% year-to-date, with shares falling approximately 2% in extended trading following the CEO announcement.
In tandem with the CEO announcement, Adobe also revealed that David Wadhwani, a key executive and president of Adobe’s creativity and productivity business, will be departing the company. Wadhwani, who has been with Adobe for nearly five years, was previously considered a strong contender for the CEO position, largely due to his instrumental role in the attempted acquisition of Figma. However, the proposed $20 billion merger was ultimately terminated in 2023 amid regulatory challenges.
Wadhwani shared his plans to explore new entrepreneurial ventures in a LinkedIn post, expressing confidence in Chakravarthy’s leadership. “As much as Adobe means to me, I’ve decided this is the right moment for me to start a new chapter, and it’s a great moment for Adobe to do the same as Anil steps into the CEO role,” Wadhwani wrote. “I’ve had the privilege to work alongside Anil the last few years and I leave confident in where he’ll take Adobe.”
Chakravarthy’s appointment signals Adobe’s strategic focus on navigating the evolving technological landscape, particularly in the realm of generative AI and its integration into its core product suite. His background in enterprise solutions and customer experience orchestration is expected to be instrumental in driving Adobe’s next phase of growth. The company’s ability to effectively leverage AI to enhance its creative and productivity tools, while mitigating potential disruptions, will be a key determinant of its future success and its ability to regain investor confidence. The departure of Wadhwani, a prominent figure in Adobe’s creative offerings, also presents an opportunity for a reshuffling of leadership within that critical division, potentially leading to new strategic directions or a deeper integration of AI-powered features into its design software.
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