Washington, March 13 (NationPress) In a significant leadership change, Adobe has announced that its esteemed CEO, Shantanu Narayen, will be stepping down after nearly 20 years at the helm. This transition sets off a search for a new leader at one of the globe’s prominent software firms.

Based in San Jose, the company stated that Narayen will exit the CEO position once a successor is appointed, while he will continue to serve as the board chair to facilitate this leadership transition.

The board has established a special committee to manage the search process, evaluating candidates from both inside and outside the organization.

“On behalf of the Board, I wish to acknowledge Shantanu’s remarkable contributions as CEO and the visionary behind Adobe’s transformation over the last 18 years, setting the stage for the company’s success in the AI era,” remarked Frank Calderoni, Lead Independent Director of Adobe.

“As we embark on this succession planning, our priority is to choose the right leader for this exciting new chapter in the company’s evolution, and we appreciate Shantanu’s ongoing leadership as CEO to ensure a seamless transition,” Calderoni added.

Narayen communicated his decision to employees in an internal message on Thursday.

“I want to inform you all that I have notified the Board of my intention to transition from my position as CEO of Adobe after over 18 years,” he stated.

“In the forthcoming months, I will collaborate with Frank Calderoni and the Board to identify my successor and to guarantee a smooth transition.”

Narayen reassured that he will continue to support Adobe after his departure from the CEO role.

“I will remain as Chair of the Board to assist the incoming CEO, just as John and Chuck supported me when I assumed this position,” he noted.

Reflecting on his extensive tenure, Narayen pointed out how Adobe has significantly expanded in the past two decades.

“During this period, we grew from 3,000 employees to over 30,000, and our revenue surged from less than $1 billion to more than $25 billion, all while providing technology that has impacted billions of users,” he expressed. “I take immense pride in our collective achievements.”

Narayen also underscored the company’s strategic direction, particularly the increasing significance of artificial intelligence in creative and digital tools.

“Our mission, 'Empower Everyone to Create,' opens up even greater possibilities in the AI era,” he asserted.

“The next phase of creativity is currently unfolding — influenced by AI, new workflows, and entirely new forms of expression.”

Industry technology leaders responded positively to the announcement.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella congratulated Narayen via social media, stating: “Congrats Shantanu on a remarkable tenure at Adobe! You’ve established one of the most vital software companies globally, expanding what’s achievable for creators, entrepreneurs, and brands everywhere.”

Adobe confirmed that Narayen will continue to lead the company while the board conducts its search for a successor.

“I am committed to positioning Adobe for its next decade of success with the right leader and executive team in collaboration with the Board,” Narayen affirmed.

Having joined Adobe nearly 30 years ago, Narayen became CEO in 2007, overseeing a transformative shift in the company’s business model and product offerings.

Under his stewardship, Adobe transitioned from selling packaged software to a subscription-based cloud platform and broadened its product range across digital media, creative tools, and customer experience services. The company’s flagship products — including Photoshop, Acrobat, and Creative Cloud — have become essential tools for creators, businesses, and digital publishers worldwide.