Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Adobe Names Anil Chakravarthy CEO as Narayen Steps Aside
Adobe has chosen Anil Chakravarthy to be its next president and CEO.
He will start the job on December 1, 2026.
Shantanu Narayen, who was CEO for more than 18 years, will become executive chair.
In that role, he will work with Chakravarthy and Adobe’s board.
Chakravarthy joined Adobe in 2020 and has led parts of its digital experience, sales, and customer operations.
Before Adobe, he was CEO of Informatica for four years.
He said he wants to focus on customers, employees, and artificial-intelligence innovation.
Adobe is promoting AI products while facing competition from Figma and Canva.
Another senior executive, David Wadhwani, is leaving the company.
Anil Chakravarthy will become Adobe’s president and CEO on December 1, 2026.
Shantanu Narayen will become executive chair after leading Adobe for more than 18 years.
Chakravarthy joined Adobe in January 2020 and currently leads Customer Experience Orchestration and worldwide field operations.
David Wadhwani, president of Adobe’s Creativity and Productivity Business, announced his departure after five years.
The leadership change comes as Adobe emphasizes AI products amid competition from Figma and Canva and declining shares.
- Who
- Adobe, incoming CEO Anil Chakravarthy, outgoing CEO Shantanu Narayen, and departing executive David Wadhwani.
- What
- Adobe appointed Chakravarthy as president and CEO; Narayen will become executive chair, and Chakravarthy will join Adobe’s Board of Directors.
- When
- The announcement was made on Thursday, September 3, 2026, and reported on September 4; the transition takes effect December 1, 2026.
- Where
- Adobe; the articles do not specify where the announcement was made.
- Why
- The transition is intended to guide Adobe’s next phase of growth and AI strategy as the company faces new competitors and investor concerns about AI’s impact on its business.
Adobe’s AI Growth Strategy
Investor and Competitive Concerns
Artificial intelligence
Adobe’s AI Growth Strategy
Adobe and its incoming CEO present AI innovation and agentic software for creativity, productivity, and customer experience as major growth opportunities.
Investor and Competitive Concerns
Investors are concerned that advances in AI could disrupt Adobe’s business and challenge its position in design software.
Competitive position
Adobe’s AI Growth Strategy
Adobe says demand for its AI products and tools supports its strategy to maintain leadership across creativity, productivity, and customer experience.
Investor and Competitive Concerns
Figma and Canva are increasing competitive pressure, while Adobe’s shares have declined significantly.
- Incoming CEO
- Anil Chakravarthy
- Effective date
- December 1, 2026
- Narayen’s new role
- Executive chair, working with Chakravarthy and Adobe’s board
- Chakravarthy’s Adobe tenure
- Joined in January 2020 as executive vice president and general manager of Digital Experience
- Previous CEO role
- Led Informatica for four years
- Additional departure
- David Wadhwani is leaving after five years at Adobe
- Market context
- Adobe shares fell around 18% in 2026 after declining more than 21% in 2025
Sources
Adobe promotes Anil Chakravarthy to top job, Narayen becomes executive chair
Adobe appoints Anil Chakravarthy as new president and CEO; Shantanu to become executive chair
Adobe Appoints Anil Chakravarthy As New CEO, Shantanu Narayen Becomes Executive Chair
Adobe names Anil Chakravarthy as president and CEO
Adobe names Anil Chakravarthy as successor to Shantanu Narayen