Adobe chief Shantanu Narayen to step down amid AI shift

Adobe Chief Executive Shantanu Narayen has told staff he plans to step down once a successor is selected, ending more than 18 years leading the software group.

He said he has informed the board and will work with Lead Director Frank Calderoni and other directors in the coming months on succession planning and a handover.

Narayen will remain chair of the board after stepping down as chief executive. He said he would support the next CEO "just as John and Chuck did when I took on this role".

The announcement sets up a leadership change at one of the largest makers of creative and marketing software, as investors and customers weigh how artificial intelligence could reshape content creation and digital experience tools.

Narayen framed the move as a planned transition rather than an immediate departure. He said he would continue running the business in the meantime and noted that the earnings call he was about to conduct would be his 100th as CEO.

Succession process

The board has not named a successor and did not disclose a timeline. Narayen said a decision would be made over the coming months, with an emphasis on "a smooth transition".

Adobe has grown from a desktop publishing and document software specialist into a broader provider of creative tools, content creation platforms and digital marketing products. Over the past decade, it has expanded its software-as-a-service business and subscription model.

Narayen joined Adobe more than two decades ago and cited the company's headcount and revenue growth during his tenure.

"I want to share with all of you that I have informed the Board of my decision to transition from my role as CEO of Adobe after over 18 years in the job (and the earnings call that I am about to conduct will be my 100th at the greatest company on the planet)," Narayen wrote.

"Over the coming months, I will be working with Frank Calderoni, our lead Director, and the Board of Directors to identify my successor and to ensure a smooth transition," he added.

Scale and growth

Narayen pointed to the company's expansion since he joined, saying Adobe grew from about 3,000 employees to more than 30,000 and that revenue rose from below USD $1 billion to above USD $25 billion.

He also described the reach of Adobe's products and customer base, saying its technology had "touched billions of people" through direct use and through digital experiences created by customers.

"This is not a goodbye by any means but a time for reflection," he wrote.

He also highlighted Adobe's mission statement and linked it to shifts in the industry, saying "Empower Everyone to Create" represented an opportunity in an AI-driven market.

AI and strategy

Adobe has increased its focus on AI features in recent years across its creative applications and marketing tools. Generative AI has become a competitive priority for many software vendors, including those serving designers, video editors, photographers and enterprise marketing teams.

Narayen said Adobe had an "innovative roadmap aligned to our audience strategy", positioning the company for what he called the next chapter of creativity.

"Our mission, Empower Everyone to Create, represents an even larger opportunity in the AI era. By delivering an innovative roadmap aligned to our audience strategy, we are positioning Adobe to lead this next chapter," he wrote.

He also stressed workforce and culture as part of the company's future direction, saying the next phase would be shaped by AI, new workflows and new forms of expression.

"The next era of creativity is being written right now - shaped by AI, by new workflows and by entirely new forms of expression. Adobe has never waited for the future to arrive. We've anticipated it. We've built it. And we've led it. What gives me the greatest confidence isn't just our technology - it's our people. Your ingenuity, resilience and commitment to customers are what will define this moment," he wrote.

Near-term focus

While the succession search proceeds, Narayen said he would continue working with the board and executive team on near-term priorities, including the company's "FY26 Must Wins".

He said the transition would be managed to maintain execution and prepare the company for a new leadership era.

"I love Adobe and the privilege of leading it has been the greatest honor of my career. I will ensure that I set up Adobe for its next decade of greatness with the right leader and executive team, in partnership with the Board, while continuing to deliver on our FY26 Must Wins," he wrote.

Narayen said he would speak with employees at a meeting next week and answer questions. "I look forward to the employee meeting next week where we will discuss our quarterly accomplishments and I will be happy to answer any questions," he wrote.