Aneel Bhusri returns as CEO of Workday, ushering in a new era of AI-driven innovation

Workday, the enterprise AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, announced that co-founder and current executive chair Aneel Bhusri is returning as chief executive officer as the company enters its next chapter, focused on leading in the rapidly evolving AI era.

Carl Eschenbach is stepping down as CEO and as a member of the board after leading Workday through a period defined by global growth, an expanded industry focus, and strengthened operational discipline. He will continue to support Bhusri and the company as a strategic advisor to the CEO.

This change is effective immediately, with Bhusri stepping in as the company kicks off its fiscal year 2027.

Bhusri’s appointment marks the beginning of a transformative new chapter for Workday. Having co-founded the company alongside Dave Duffield two decades ago, Bhusri played an instrumental role in revolutionising how HR and Finance functions operate within the cloud.

Reflecting on his return, Bhusri emphasised the immense opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. "AI is reshaping how work gets done and represents an even bigger transformation than the shift to cloud 20 years ago. Just as we helped redefine enterprise software when we founded Workday, I believe we can once again lead the way in this AI era," he stated in a LinkedIn post.

Bhusri’s strategic vision for Workday underscores the company’s ambition to harness its 20 years of expertise and vast data resources to deliver enterprise-grade AI solutions to customers worldwide.

Bhusri also paid tribute to Carl Eschenbach, who served as CEO during a crucial period of Workday’s evolution. Under Eschenbach’s leadership, Workday matured into a global enterprise with more than 20,000 employees. Eschenbach will continue to support the company as Special Advisor to the CEO, ensuring a seamless transition and continued focus on operational excellence.

"It's been a privilege to serve as CEO over the past three years, and I'm proud of all we achieved — instilling greater operational discipline, expanding globally, broadening our industry focus, and laying meaningful groundwork in AI," Eschenbach noted. "I could not be more grateful to Aneel and to our board for the trust they placed in me to lead this special company, and I look forward to supporting Aneel and Workday in this next chapter."

As Workday sets its sights on the future, Bhusri is resolute in his commitment to the founding values that have defined the company: putting employees first, serving customers exceptionally well, innovating boldly, acting with integrity, and building a durable, profitable business. These principles, he affirms, will continue to guide Workday as it leads the next wave of AI-powered transformation.

Bhusri holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Brown University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.