Image Source: CNBC
Technology news is entering a significant new chapter at Adobe, where the company has named Anil Chakravarthy as its next president and CEO. Chakravarthy will replace Shantanu Narayen, who is stepping down after 18 years leading the software giant.
Adobe announced the leadership transition on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Chakravarthy is scheduled to take over on December 1 and will also join Adobe’s board of directors. Narayen will become executive chair and is expected to work closely with Chakravarthy during the handover.
Adobe’s Powerful CEO Transition Arrives at a Critical Moment
The change comes as Adobe faces growing pressure from investors and heightened competition across the software industry. Artificial intelligence has rapidly changed how people create images, videos, documents and digital experiences, raising questions about the long-term strength of traditional software business models.
Adobe shares have struggled in recent years. The stock fell 25% in 2024, declined another 21% in 2025 and was down 18% so far in 2026, according to the company’s market performance reported by CNBC. Shares dropped about 2% in extended trading after the CEO announcement.
Investors have increasingly worried that generative AI tools could disrupt established software companies by offering faster and cheaper alternatives to products used by creative professionals, businesses and marketing teams. Adobe has responded by adding AI capabilities across its product lineup, including tools designed to support image creation, editing, document management and digital marketing.
Who Is Anil Chakravarthy?
Chakravarthy most recently served as president of Adobe’s customer experience orchestration and worldwide field operations businesses. His responsibilities have placed him close to the company’s enterprise customers and its broader sales and growth strategy.
Before joining Adobe, Chakravarthy served as CEO of Informatica, an enterprise data management company. He joined Adobe nearly seven years ago and previously discussed his connection with Narayen and Adobe’s leadership team in a CNBC interview.
“Adobe’s opportunity ahead is limitless with our track record in creating new market categories and world-class products,” Narayen said in a statement. He described Chakravarthy as an experienced transformational leader with deep knowledge of Adobe’s business.
Chakravarthy’s appointment gives Adobe an internal successor with experience spanning enterprise technology, data management and customer operations. That background could be important as the company works to prove that its creative and business software can remain essential in an AI-driven market.
David Wadhwani’s Exit Adds Another Major Twist
Adobe’s announcement also included the departure of David Wadhwani, a senior executive who led the company’s creativity and productivity business for nearly five years.
Wadhwani had been viewed as a strong potential candidate for Adobe’s top job. He played a major role in the company’s proposed acquisition of Figma, a popular collaborative design platform. Adobe and Figma ultimately abandoned the roughly $20 billion deal in 2023 after facing regulatory resistance.
In a LinkedIn post, Wadhwani said he plans to explore and pressure-test several company ideas. He also expressed confidence in Adobe’s future under Chakravarthy.
“As much as Adobe means to me, I’ve decided this is the right moment for me to start a new chapter,” Wadhwani wrote. He added that it was also an important moment for Adobe as Chakravarthy begins his tenure.
What Adobe’s Leadership Change Means for AI Strategy
The new CEO will inherit a company with powerful brands, a large professional customer base and a broad portfolio of subscription products. However, Adobe must continue showing that its tools offer value beyond what emerging AI platforms can provide on their own.
- Creative software: Adobe must defend the strength of Photoshop, Illustrator and other tools as AI-powered competitors expand.
- Enterprise growth: Chakravarthy’s customer experience background may help Adobe deepen relationships with large business clients.
- Investor confidence: The company needs to demonstrate that artificial intelligence can support revenue growth rather than weaken its market position.
- Leadership continuity: Narayen’s move to executive chair could provide stability while the new CEO establishes his strategy.
The transition also puts renewed attention on Adobe’s ability to innovate quickly. The company has spent decades building software used by designers, photographers, publishers, marketers and corporations. Its next phase will likely depend on how effectively it combines those established products with new AI features.
What Comes Next for Adobe?
Chakravarthy will officially assume the CEO role on December 1. Until then, Adobe’s leadership team will manage the transition while investors watch for clues about future product priorities, AI investments and financial targets.
This technology news development marks one of Adobe’s most important leadership changes in decades. Narayen’s long tenure helped transform Adobe into a subscription-based software powerhouse. Chakravarthy now faces the challenge of guiding that business through a period of rapid technological change and intense market skepticism.
FAQs About Adobe’s New CEO
Who is Adobe’s new CEO?
Anil Chakravarthy has been named Adobe’s next president and CEO. He currently leads the company’s customer experience orchestration and worldwide field operations businesses.
When will Anil Chakravarthy become CEO?
Chakravarthy will take over as Adobe’s president and CEO on December 1, 2026.
What will happen to Shantanu Narayen?
Shantanu Narayen will become Adobe’s executive chair after stepping down as CEO. He is expected to support Chakravarthy during the leadership transition.
Why is Adobe changing CEOs now?
The transition comes as Adobe faces investor concerns about artificial intelligence, software disruption and the company’s declining stock performance.
Is David Wadhwani leaving Adobe?
Yes. David Wadhwani announced that he will leave Adobe after nearly five years leading its creativity and productivity business.
