Indian-origin Shantanu Narayen mentioned he wll step down as CEO of Adobe after main the corporate for 18 years. The US-based expertise firm mentioned Narayen will stay CEO till a successor is appointed and can proceed to function chair of the board.

Adobe’s board has appointed Frank Calderoni, the corporate’s lead impartial director, to move a particular committee that can oversee the seek for the following CEO.

Notably, the method will think about each inside and exterior candidates.

Board begins succession course of

In a press release, Calderoni praised Narayen’s management throughout his almost twenty years as CEO. “On behalf of the board, I need to recognise Shantanu’s contributions as CEO and architect of Adobe’s transformation over the previous 18 years, and for positioning Adobe for achievement within the AI-driven period,” he mentioned.

“As we take the following step in succession planning, we’re targeted on choosing the proper chief for this subsequent thrilling chapter of the corporate’s development and are grateful for Shantanu’s continued management as CEO to make sure a easy transition.”

‘Not a goodbye’

In an electronic mail to staff, Narayen mentioned he had knowledgeable the board of his choice to step apart after greater than 18 years within the function.

“I need to share with all of you that I’ve knowledgeable the board of my choice to transition from my function as CEO of Adobe after over 18 years within the job,” he wrote.

He mentioned he would work with Calderoni and the board over the approaching months to establish a successor and guarantee a easy transition.

“This isn’t a goodbye by any means however a time for reflection,” Narayen mentioned.

Reflecting on his time on the firm, he mentioned Adobe had grown considerably throughout his tenure, increasing from about 3,000 staff to greater than 30,000 and growing annual income from below $1 billion to greater than $25 billion.

Narayen joined Adobe in 1998 and have become CEO in 2007. Throughout his tenure, the corporate shifted from promoting boxed software program to a cloud-based subscription mannequin and expanded into digital advertising and AI instruments.

Give attention to the AI period

Narayen mentioned Adobe’s mission to “empower everybody to create” would develop into much more important as AI reshapes inventive work.

“The following period of creativity is being written proper now — formed by AI, by new workflows and by completely new types of expression,” he wrote.

“Adobe has by no means waited for the long run to reach. We’ve anticipated it. We’ve constructed it. And we’ve led it.”

He added that he would stay carefully concerned with the corporate as chair of the board and work with management to arrange Adobe for its subsequent part of development.

“I’m extra assured than ever that Adobe’s finest days are nonetheless to come back,” he mentioned.