# Adobe leadership transition

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/adobe-leadership-transition
> Updated: 2026-09-06T22:10:33.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 2.

Adobe has announced a leadership transition, naming Anil Chakravarthy as the company’s next president and CEO, effective December 1, 2026. Chakravarthy, who currently leads the Customer Experience Orchestration business and worldwide field operations, will also join the company’s Board of Directors.

Shantanu Narayen, who has led the company for approximately 18 to 20 years, will transition to the role of executive chair. Narayen will work closely with Chakravarthy during the transition to support Adobe’s ongoing transformation, particularly as the company navigates an increasingly AI-driven software market.

Chakravarthy joined Adobe in January 2020 and has been involved in scaling the Adobe Experience Platform and overseeing various acquisitions. The leadership change comes as Adobe faces a shifting technological landscape and recent stock price pressure.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-06: Adobe names Anil Chakravarthy as next CEO

Adobe has named Anil Chakravarthy as its next CEO, effective December 2026, as longtime leader Shantanu Narayen transitions to executive chair to focus on AI-driven growth.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/adobe-names-anil-chakravarthy-as-next-ceo

### 2026-09-03: Adobe appoints Anil Chakravarthy as next president and CEO

Anil Chakravarthy will succeed Shantanu Narayen as Adobe's president and CEO on December 1, 2026, as Narayen transitions to executive chair.

20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/adobe-names-anil-chakravarthy-as-ceo

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Cite as: Adobe leadership transition. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/adobe-leadership-transition