Autodesk Blog.
Carl Bass to step down as Autodesk CEO.
Autodesk has today announced that its president and CEO, Carl Bass is to step down effective tomorrow (8th February) after serving 24 years with the company.
The design software giant has began the search for a new CEO but has appointed an Interim Office of the Chief Executive to oversee the company's day-to-day operations during the transition, led by Amar Hanspal, senior vice president and chief product officer, and Andrew Anagnost, senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
Bass will retain a role within Autodesk as special advisor to the company in support of the search for a new CEO and will continue to sit on the Autodesk board of directors.
Bass commented, "It's been my honour to lead Autodesk through this exciting period of growth and change. I'm very proud of everything we accomplished – from both a business and technology perspective. Our cloud and subscription business is well underway. The company's strategy is working, the management team is strong and it's the right time for me to step aside. Autodesk is poised for even greater success as it enters this next phase. I'm looking forward to my next adventure but will continue working with the company through my role as a board member and am committed to ensuring that the cloud and subscription business model will continue to be successful."
Autodesk has also announced a new agreement between Autodesk and Sachem Head Capital Management LP ('Sachem Head'). The agreement calls for two of Sachem Head's 2016 director nominees, Scott Ferguson and Jeff Clarke, to resign from the board of directors. In addition, Sachem Head Capital has agreed to continue until June 2018 their earlier standstill and voting agreement provisions.
Said Ferguson, "Since joining the board, I have been impressed with Carl's vision and leadership. I am confident that through this transition, we will identify a leader who can further propel the company's progress and drive Autodesk's growth and value creation well into the future."
The board will begin a search for a new independent director candidate, who will join when Ferguson and Clarke step down.
Discussions about a potential CEO transition began more than 18 months ago but as Sachem Head began acquiring company stock in late 2015, Bass and the board put discussions regarding a permanent successor on hold. Given the new agreement with Sachem Head, Bass and the board have decided that this is the right time to identify the individual that will lead Autodesk's next stage of growth.
In an open letter on the Autodesk Blog, Bass said, “It’s been a privilege to lead Autodesk, and I feel very grateful to have worked with so many talented and passionate people. Together we have built a fantastic business and developed products that literally have changed how entire industries get their work done.”
Carl Bass speaking at the TCT @ CES 3D Printing Conference.
