In a move that has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley, Shantanu Narayen, the long-standing CEO of Adobe Inc., has announced his decision to step down after 18 years at the helm. The Hyderabad-born executive, who is credited with turning Adobe into a $25 billion software behemoth, will transition out of his current role once a successor is appointed. His departure marks the end of one of the longest and most successful CEO tenures in the global technology industry.

New Roles and Responsibilities: Narayen isn’t leaving the corporate world entirely. According to the company’s official announcement, he will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board (Chair of the Board) to ensure a smooth transition and provide strategic guidance to the next CEO. Beyond Adobe, Narayen remains a key figure on the board of global biopharmaceutical giant Pfizer. Experts believe he may also increase his involvement in the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, where he currently serves as Vice Chairman, focusing on fostering tech ties between the two nations.

A Legacy of Transformation: When Narayen took over as CEO in 2007, Adobe was struggling to find its footing in a changing digital landscape. He made the bold, controversial decision to move from permanent software licenses to a cloud-based subscription model—a move that eventually skyrocketed Adobe’s valuation. Under his watch, Adobe’s revenue grew from less than $1 billion to over $25 billion, and its stock value increased sixfold. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella lauded his “legendary run,” noting his empathy and vision. Narayen believes that as Generative AI reshapes the creative world, it is the opportune time for a new leader to pilot Adobe into its next decade.