Sridhar Vembu, the founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation, has announced his decision to step down from his role as CEO to focus on research and development (R&D) as the company’s Chief Scientist.
The leadership transition will take effect immediately, with co-founder Shailesh Kumar Davey taking over as the new group CEO.
Initially known as AdventNet, Inc., Zoho Corporation was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Chennai, India.
Over the years, the company has grown into a global brand, offering a suite of software products for businesses, including customer relationship management (CRM), project management, and enterprise tools.
Under Sridhar’s leadership, Zoho has expanded its reach and gained millions of users worldwide.
Leadership Transition at Zoho Corporation
Sridhar made the announcement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on January 27, 2025, stating, “A new chapter begins today.”
He emphasized that the need to address various challenges and opportunities, particularly the recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), drove the decision.
Sridhar expressed his excitement about returning to hands-on technical work and focusing full-time on R&D initiatives.
As part of the leadership transition, Shailesh Kumar Davey will assume the role of group CEO.
Tony Thomas, another co-founder, will lead Zoho’s US operations, while Rajesh Ganesan will oversee the ManageEngine division, and Mani Vembu will head the Zoho.com division.
Sridhar highlighted that the future of Zoho depends on how well the company navigates the R&D challenge.
CEO Sridhar Vembu’s Vision for R&D
Sridhar’s decision to step down as CEO and take on the role of Chief Scientist underscores his commitment to driving innovation and technological advancements within the company.
He stated, “The future of our company entirely depends on how well we navigate the R&D challenge, and I am looking forward to my new assignment with energy and vigor.”
Sridhar also mentioned his personal rural development mission, which he plans to pursue alongside his new responsibilities.
Note: We are also on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google News, and YouTube, to get the latest news updates, Subscribe to our Channels. WhatsApp– Click Here, Google News– Click Here, YouTube – Click Here, and LinkedIn– Click Here.
