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Adobe names IIT Varanasi alumnus Anil Chakravarthy as next CEO
Adobe makes software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and InDesign.
The company has chosen Anil Chakravarthy to become its next CEO.
He will take over after Shantanu Narayen, who said he wanted to leave once a successor was found.
Chakravarthy joined Adobe in 2020 and has held several leadership jobs there.
Before Adobe, he was the CEO of Informatica.
He studied computer science in India and later earned advanced degrees from MIT.
Adobe is adding generative artificial intelligence to many of its products.
The company is hopeful about this strategy, but some investors remain worried about how AI could change the software business.
Adobe has chosen Anil Chakravarthy as its next chief executive after Shantanu Narayen announced plans to step down.
Chakravarthy joined Adobe in January 2020 and previously led its digital experience division.
He earlier served as CEO of cloud data-management company Informatica and held executive roles at Symantec, VeriSign, and McKinsey.
Chakravarthy studied computer science at the Institute of Technology, Varanasi, and earned graduate degrees from MIT.
Adobe shares fell 1.7% in extended trading after the September 3 leadership announcement amid continuing investor concerns about AI-driven disruption.
- Who
- Adobe and Anil Chakravarthy; he will succeed Shantanu Narayen as CEO.
- What
- Adobe appointed Chakravarthy as its next chief executive.
- Where
- The article identifies Chakravarthy's undergraduate institution as the Institute of Technology, Varanasi, India.
- When
- The appointment was announced on September 3, after succession planning began in March.
- Why
- The appointment follows Narayen's plan to step down and comes as Adobe responds to investor concerns by expanding its generative AI products.
Adobe's Growth Case
Investor Concerns
Generative AI Strategy
Adobe's Growth Case
Adobe says its AI-powered features are showing solid momentum and has raised its full-year profit outlook.
Investor Concerns
Several market analysts remain cautious about the long-term effect of AI on Adobe's business model.
Leadership Transition
Adobe's Growth Case
Chakravarthy said Adobe is well positioned for its next phase of growth and can lead in agentic software.
Investor Concerns
The leadership change occurred during broader executive restructuring, including the departure of CFO Dan Durn and the lack of a permanent successor.
Key facts
- Incoming CEO
- Anil Chakravarthy
- Outgoing CEO
- Shantanu Narayen
- Joined Adobe
- January 2020
- Previous CEO role
- Chakravarthy led Informatica for four years.
- Education
- Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering from the Institute of Technology, Varanasi; master's and doctoral degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Adobe share reaction
- Shares declined 1.7% in extended after-hours trading on September 3.
- Recent stock performance
- Adobe shares had fallen roughly 18% during the year and more than 21% in 2025, according to the article.
Quotes
Anil Chakravarthy
Adobe’s incoming chief executive
“Adobe has a history of building the future — not just through our technology, but through our people and our commitment to customers. Thanks to Shantanu's exceptional leadership in transforming Adobe's business model over the decades, we are well positioned to achieve Adobe's next chapter of growth.”
businesstoday.in
“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to lead Adobe during this pivotal moment. I'm energized by the opportunity to fuel growth and drive Adobe's leadership in the next era of agentic software for creativity, productivity and customer experience.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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