Adobe said Chief Executive Officer Shantanu Narayen will step down from the role once the company appoints a successor, concluding an 18-year tenure as CEO while remaining Chair of the Board. The board has formed a special committee to oversee the succession process and named Frank Calderoni, Adobe’s Lead Independent Director, to chair the search. The company said the review will consider both internal and external candidates as it prepares for its next phase of leadership. Adobe has not announced a timeline for the transition, but said Narayen will continue serving as Chief Executive until a successor is selected.
The announcement comes as Adobe continues to expand its focus on AI across its software portfolio. In a statement, Calderoni described Narayen as the architect of Adobe’s transformation over the past 18 years and said he had helped position the company for success in the AI-driven era. He added that the board is focused on selecting “the right leader for this next exciting chapter of the company’s growth” while Narayen remains in place to help ensure a smooth transition.