Workday’s new CEO Carl Eschenbach takes the reins

Workday has announced a new CEO, effective immediately.

The news follows international expansion and growth within the wider leadership team for the California-based financial and human capital management business

Carl Eschenbach will take the company’s helm today - February 1, 2024 - after being appointed co-CEO alongside co-founder Aneel Bhusri back in 2022.

“Working alongside Aneel for the last year has been a highlight of my career and has solidified my belief in the opportunities ahead for Workday,” said Eschenbach.

I’m honored to serve as CEO of this incredible company, and to continue working with our world-class leadership team and more than 18,000 Workmates around the globe to build one of the most enduring software businesses of our time.”I’m honored to serve as CEO of this incredible company, and to continue working with our world-class leadership team and more than 18,000 Workmates around the globe to build one of the most enduring software businesses of our time.”

Since this appointment, Eschenbach has steered the company to a number of successes, including the milestone of surpassing 65 million users under contract and reaching more than 10,000 global customers.

Workday’s EMEA business also saw increased momentum, reaching over US$1 billion in annual recurring revenue, while strengthening its industry businesses, with retail and hospitality joining the company’s financial services industry in surpassing US$1 billion in ARR.

Throughout 2023, Workday’s customer base included more than 50% of Fortune 500 companies – 70% of which were in the top 50.

Eschenbach has also welcomed new faces to the company’s leadership bench, with several new senior executives joining the team, including Zane Rowe as CFO, Emma Chalwin as CMO, and Rani Johnson as CIO.

Progressing Workday's technology

While Eschenbach takes his new role, Bhusri will remain as co-founder and executive chair of the Workday Board of Directors.

“Workday has never been in a stronger position, thanks in large part to the impact Carl has made in his first year,” said Bhusri.

“From the start, he has embodied the company’s core set of values and I am confident that he is the right person to help Workday scale and lead us into our next phase of growth.”

Now, Bhusri will advise the business on innovation and the progress its technology platform, while supporting Eschenbach in developing the executive team’s initiatives to ensure they align with Workday’s mission, vision, and values.

Eschenbach will assume the sole CEO role beginning of Workday at the beginning of the company’s fiscal year, on February 1, 2024.