Adobe has announced that its chief executive officer, Shantanu Narayen, will step down from the position after leading the global software company for nearly two decades.
The company said Narayen will remain in the role until a new CEO is appointed. After the transition, he will continue as chairman of Adobe’s board and assist the incoming leader during the change in leadership.
Adobe’s board has started the process of finding a successor and has formed a special committee to oversee the search. The company said it will consider both internal and external candidates for the position.
Narayen has been serving as Adobe’s CEO since 2007 and is credited with playing a key role in transforming the company into one of the world’s leading software firms. During his tenure, Adobe moved away from selling traditional packaged software and shifted to a cloud-based subscription model for its popular products.
Under his leadership, services such as Creative Cloud and Document Cloud became central to Adobe’s business. These platforms include widely used tools like Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat.
The company also expanded into digital marketing and invested heavily in new technologies, including artificial intelligence, which are now being integrated into many of its products.
In a message to employees, Narayen said he would work closely with the board and leadership team to ensure a smooth transition. He added that the company is well positioned for its next phase of growth.
Following the announcement, several leaders in the technology industry praised Narayen’s contribution to the sector. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described his leadership as remarkable and highlighted the impact he had on Adobe’s growth and innovation.
Narayen joined Adobe in 1998 and later became the company’s president and chief operating officer before taking over as CEO.
During his leadership, Adobe grew significantly in market value and strengthened its position as a global leader in creative and digital document software.
Also Read: Rupee nears 93 due to West Asia conflict