Shantanu Narayen will stay on as board chair during the transition.
Adobe has announced that CEO Shantanu Narayen will step down after nearly 18 years leading the company.
The company said Narayen will remain chief executive until a successor is appointed and will then serve as chair of the board.
Adobe’s board has formed a special committee to conduct a global search for the next CEO.
Architect of Adobe’s Transformation
Narayen became Adobe’s chief executive in 2007 and oversaw a major transformation of the company.
During his tenure, Adobe shifted from selling packaged software to offering subscription-based cloud services.
The strategy helped expand Adobe’s flagship platforms, including Photoshop, Acrobat, and Creative Cloud, into widely used tools for creators and businesses.
Rapid Growth Under His Leadership
Under Narayen’s leadership, Adobe grew significantly.
The company expanded from about 3,000 employees to more than 30,000 and increased annual revenue from less than $1 billion to over $25 billion.
Focus on AI and Creativity
Narayen said Adobe’s future will be shaped by artificial intelligence and new creative workflows.
He emphasized that AI-driven tools will expand opportunities for creators and businesses in the coming years.
Industry Reaction
Technology leaders praised Narayen’s leadership following the announcement.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella congratulated him on what he described as a “legendary run” building one of the world’s most influential software companies.
Next Phase for Adobe
Adobe said Narayen will remain in his role during the leadership search to ensure continuity.
After the transition, he will continue supporting the company as board chair while the new chief executive leads the next phase of growth.
Source: NDTV
