Nvidia’s next leader: who could replace Jensen Huang as permanent chief executive?
Nvidia begins leadership search
Nvidia must now decide who will permanently lead the company Huang helped build more than three decades ago. It has grown from a maker of video-game chips into a major artificial intelligence semiconductor business.
Colette Kress, the company’s finance chief and executive vice president, is taking over as interim chief executive during the search. She has been with Nvidia through its transformation, though some analysts say the permanent role may call for an engineer.
Internal candidates in focus
Chris Malachowsky, who founded Nvidia with Huang and Curtis Priem, is another possible successor. The article describes him as the only executive with the same level of seniority.
Ian Buck, who leads Nvidia’s high-performance computing business, could also be considered if the company wants an engineer in the top role. Investment strategist Charu Chanana said Buck could safeguard Nvidia’s technological advantage, while his commercial and geopolitical experience may come under scrutiny.
External names also raised
Nvidia may initially prefer to choose someone from within, according to Ten Cap founder Jun Bei Liu, but could later look outside the company. Liu mentioned Apple chair Tim Cook, citing his experience managing global supply chains, while questioning whether he would leave Apple.
Liu and Chanana also named Rene Haas, chief executive of Arm Holdings. Chanana noted that Haas has experience leading a publicly listed company and in semiconductors, although Arm and Nvidia operate with different business models.
Pressure beyond the appointment
Liu had previously thought Huang’s departure as chief executive was only a matter of time. The article also reports that several major investment firms have lowered their forecasts for Nvidia, an unusual change given investors’ longstanding optimism.
Bernstein Research analyst Stacy Rasgon wrote that the full extent of the situation may not yet be clear. Constellation Research chief executive Ray Wang said the crisis centres on Nvidia, including whether its next leader can command the same appeal as Huang, rather than on the wider AI industry.
Key points
- Colette Kress is serving as interim chief executive while Nvidia searches for a permanent leader.
- Possible internal candidates include Chris Malachowsky and Ian Buck.
- Rene Haas and Tim Cook have also been suggested as possible external candidates.
- Analysts say Nvidia must consider whether a new chief can match Huang’s appeal.