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Adobe has appointed longtime executive Anil Chakravarthy as its new CEO, replacing Shantanu Narayen, who becomes Executive Chair after 18 years at the helm. Chakravarthy, a former Informatica CEO, has led Adobe’s Digital Experience business and enterprise operations. He now takes charge as AI-native rivals intensify pressure on Adobe’s Creative Cloud and other products.

Adobe has turned to a familiar face to lead it through one of the most turbulent stretches in its history, naming company insider Anil Chakravarthy as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He takes over from Shantanu Narayen, who steps back into the role of Executive Chair after 18 years at Adobe's helm, as the software giant looks to fend off mounting competitive pressure from AI-native rivals.

Who is Anil Chakravarthy?

Chakravarthy is no newcomer to Adobe's upper ranks. He joined the company in January 2020 as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Digital Experience business, taking on Worldwide Field Operations later that year. Reporting directly to Narayen at the time, he was brought in to steer Adobe's enterprise-facing Experience Cloud unit at a moment when the company was betting big on the 'experience economy'.

His rise inside Adobe was steady. In December 2021, he was elevated to President of the Digital Experience business, a post he held until January 2026, when he moved into the newly created role of President, Customer Experience Orchestration Business, a title he held right up to his appointment as CEO. Along the way, he also took on the additional responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer, giving him a hand in running Adobe's broader day-to-day operations.