Shantanu Narayen will step down as chief executive of Adobe after 18 years in the role, the company said, with a succession process now underway to identify his replacement.
Narayen informed the board of his decision to transition from the CEO role once a successor is appointed. He will continue to serve as chair of the board following the leadership change.
The board has formed a special committee to lead the search process, considering both internal and external candidates. The committee will be chaired by Frank Calderoni, the company’s lead independent director.
Calderoni said Narayen had played a central role in reshaping Adobe over the past two decades and positioning the company for future growth.
“On behalf of the board, I want to recognize Shantanu’s contributions as CEO and architect of Adobe’s transformation over the past 18 years, and for positioning Adobe for success in the AI-driven era,” Calderoni said. He added that the board is focused on selecting the right leader for the company’s next phase of growth while Narayen continues to guide the business during the transition.
In a note to employees, Narayen said the decision marked a moment of reflection after nearly three decades with the company, including 18 years as CEO.
He joined Adobe 28 years ago and has overseen a period of significant expansion. During that time, the company’s workforce grew from about 3,000 employees to more than 30,000, while annual revenue increased from under $1 billion to more than $25 billion.
Narayen said Adobe’s long-term opportunity remains tied to creativity and digital experiences, particularly as artificial intelligence reshapes how content is created and distributed.
“The next era of creativity is being written right now — shaped by AI, new workflows and entirely new forms of expression,” he wrote, adding that the company’s technology and talent base position it strongly for the next phase of growth.
He said he would work closely with the board in the coming months to identify the next chief executive and ensure a smooth leadership transition while the company continues to execute on its current business priorities.
