Intel Corporation has announced the appointment of Lip-Bu Tan as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective March 18, 2025. Tan, recognized for his leadership in the tech industry and extensive experience in the semiconductor sector, will succeed interim leaders David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus. Additionally, he will rejoin Intel’s board of directors, from which he had departed in August 2024.
Tan’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Intel, amidst a strategy for rebuilding and strengthening its process technology, aimed at regaining industry leadership and improving investor confidence.
A Key Leadership for Intel’s Transformation
Frank D. Yeary, who served as interim executive chairman of the board during the search for the new CEO, emphasized Tan’s track record:
“Lip-Bu is an exceptional leader whose industry experience, network of relationships in the products and foundry ecosystem, and history of creating shareholder value are exactly what Intel needs in its next CEO.”
For his part, Tan expressed his enthusiasm for taking the helm of the company, highlighting the opportunity to reinvent the business to better serve customers and create more value for shareholders.
“Intel has a powerful and differentiated computing platform, a broad customer base, and a robust manufacturing footprint that strengthens every day. I am eager to join the team and contribute to positioning the company for the future.”
Zinsner will continue as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Intel, while Johnston Holthaus will remain as CEO of Intel Products.
Experience and Track Record of Lip-Bu Tan
Lip-Bu Tan is a renowned investor and executive in the tech sector, with over 20 years of experience in semiconductors and software. Among his notable achievements is his leadership at Cadence Design Systems, where he served as CEO from 2009 to 2021. Under his leadership, the company:
✔ Doubled its revenues
✔ Significantly expanded its operating margins
✔ Achieved a 3,200% appreciation in stock value
In addition to his role at Cadence, Tan has been the founder and managing partner of Walden Catalyst Ventures and chairman of Walden International, with extensive experience in the global tech sector. He currently serves on the boards of Credo Technology Group and Schneider Electric.
Tan holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from MIT, and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. In 2022, he received the prestigious Robert N. Noyce Award, the highest honor from the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Intel Aims to Regain Its Leadership in the Industry
The appointment of Lip-Bu Tan comes at a challenging time for Intel, which in recent years has faced fierce competition in the semiconductor sector, particularly from rivals like AMD, NVIDIA, and TSMC. The company has been working on its technology roadmap, driving its strategy of Intel Foundry Services (IFS) to become a key player in chip manufacturing globally.
With Tan’s arrival, Intel aims to accelerate its transformation, enhance the execution of its innovation plans, and strengthen its relationship with customers and investors. The coming months will be critical for assessing the impact of this new chapter for the company.