2 hrs ago
Adobe Names Anil Chakravarthy Successor to CEO Shantanu Narayen
Adobe chose Anil Chakravarthy to become its next chief executive.
The current CEO, Shantanu Narayen, has led the company for more than 18 years.
Narayen will move into a role called executive chair.
Adobe makes creative software such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
New artificial intelligence tools are creating competition for Adobe.
Companies such as Figma and Canva are among its challengers.
Chakravarthy has worked at Adobe since 2020 and previously led Informatica.
Investors are watching closely because Adobe’s shares have fallen and the company is changing its leadership.
Adobe named Anil Chakravarthy as CEO successor to Shantanu Narayen on Thursday.
Narayen will become executive chair after more than 18 years as Adobe’s CEO.
Chakravarthy joined Adobe in 2020 and has led digital experience, sales, and customer-support operations.
He will face growing competition from AI-driven rivals including Figma and Canva.
Adobe shares fell about 1% after hours, following an approximately 18% decline this year.
- Who
- Adobe, Anil Chakravarthy, and outgoing CEO Shantanu Narayen.
- What
- Adobe named Chakravarthy as Narayen’s successor; Narayen will become executive chair.
- Where
- The articles do not specify a location.
- When
- The announcement was made Thursday, September 4, 2026.
- Why
- Adobe is preparing for leadership change while facing AI-related disruption and competition from Figma and Canva.
Adobe’s AI Strategy
Investor Concerns
Impact of artificial intelligence
Adobe’s AI Strategy
Adobe says demand for its AI products and tools is growing and has raised its annual profit forecast.
Investor Concerns
Investors remain concerned that improvements in AI could disrupt Adobe’s business and weaken its design-software advantage.
Competitive position
Adobe’s AI Strategy
Chakravarthy will be tasked with helping Adobe maintain its lead over challengers such as Figma and Canva.
Investor Concerns
The company faces a wave of new AI rivals, while its shares have declined significantly.
Key facts
- Incoming CEO
- Anil Chakravarthy
- Outgoing CEO
- Shantanu Narayen
- Narayen’s next role
- Executive chair
- Narayen’s tenure
- More than 18 years as CEO
- Chakravarthy joined Adobe
- January 2020
- Share performance
- Adobe shares were down about 18% in 2026 after declining more than 21% in 2025
- After-hours reaction
- Shares fell 1% after the announcement
Sources
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