Adobe Appoints Anil Chakravarthy as New CEO, Succeeding Shantanu Narayen

Adobe has appointed Anil Chakravarthy as its new CEO, succeeding Shantanu Narayen, who will transition to executive chair. Chakravarthy, currently overseeing Customer Experience Orchestration, will join the Board of Directors on December 1, 2026. Narayen praised Chakravarthy's leadership skills and experience, expressing confidence in his ability to guide Adobe through an AI-driven era. Chakravarthy emphasized his commitment to driving growth and innovation at Adobe, building on the company's legacy of technological advancement and customer dedication. With a strong background in digital experience and enterprise cloud data management, he is poised to lead Adobe into its next chapter.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 5, 2026, 12:22 IST

Adobe's Leadership Transition

File image of Anil Chakravarthy(Photo: @sarbjeetjohal/X)

New Delhi, Sep 4: Adobe, a leading software company, has revealed that Anil Chakravarthy will take over as president and chief executive officer, succeeding the long-serving Shantanu Narayen.

Chakravarthy, who is currently the president of Adobe’s Customer Experience Orchestration division and oversees global field operations, will officially join the Board of Directors on December 1, 2026.

Narayen will shift to the role of executive chair, collaborating closely with Chakravarthy to facilitate a seamless transition and support Adobe's ongoing evolution.

“The potential for Adobe is boundless, given our history of pioneering new market segments and delivering top-tier products. Anil is a seasoned leader who embodies values and integrity, with extensive knowledge of our operations. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to create and deliver groundbreaking products that cater to our diverse customer base,” Narayen stated.

“I am fully confident that Anil is the ideal candidate to steer Adobe's growth in this AI-driven landscape, and I look forward to partnering with him in my new capacity as executive chair,” he added.

Chakravarthy expressed his enthusiasm for the chance to drive growth and enhance Adobe's leadership in the forthcoming era of innovative software focused on creativity, productivity, and customer experience.

“Adobe has a legacy of shaping the future — not only through our technology but also through our talented workforce and dedication to our clients. Thanks to Shantanu's remarkable leadership in transforming Adobe's business model over the years, we are well-equipped to embark on the next phase of growth,” remarked the incoming CEO.

Chakravarthy joined Adobe in January 2020 as executive vice president and general manager, overseeing the Digital Experience sector.

In September 2020, he expanded his role to include leadership of Adobe’s global field operations, catering to enterprise clients with the complete range of Adobe’s offerings, including creativity and productivity tools.

He was elevated to president of Digital Experience and worldwide field operations in December 2021.

Before joining Adobe, Chakravarthy was the CEO of Informatica for four years, a prominent player in enterprise cloud data management.