Workday, a leader in enterprise resource planning software, revealed on Monday that Carl Eschenbach has stepped down as CEO and left the board of directors, effective immediately. Co-founder and former CEO Aneel Bhusri is set to reassume the CEO role.
Eschenbach joined Workday in December 2022, initially serving as co-CEO with Bhusri, and became the sole CEO in February 2024. Bhusri has been at the helm since 2009, transitioning between co-CEO and sole CEO roles, and has held the position of executive chairman since 2024.
In a statement to TechCrunch, Workday confirmed that Bhusri's return to the CEO position is permanent, rather than temporary while a successor is found.
This leadership shift comes as Workday aims to focus on advancements in artificial intelligence, a move that aligns with the evolving landscape of technology.
"We're now entering one of the most pivotal moments in our history," Bhusri stated in the press release. "AI represents a transformation greater than SaaS and will shape the next generation of industry leaders. I am thrilled to return as CEO, collaborating with our presidents Gerrit Kazmaier and Rob Enslin, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead of us."
In February of last year, Workday made headlines by laying off approximately 8.5% of its workforce, or 1,750 employees, with Eschenbach indicating that the company required a fresh strategy in the AI era.