Cisco appoints Chuck Robbins as CEO

Cisco has appointed Chuck Robbins as CEO. The appointment of Robbins has disappointed many many Indians as there were speculations that Cisco may get an Indian CEO.

Chuck Robbins will succeed John Chambers, who is hailed for growth of Cisco for the last 20 years. John Chambers will be assigned the role of executive chairman in July.

Cisco chairman and CEO John Chambers said: “Our next CEO needs to thrive in a highly dynamic environment, to be capable of accelerating what is working very well for Cisco, and disrupting what needs to change.”

“He most recently served as Cisco’s senior vice president of worldwide operations, leading the company’s global sales and partner team that drives $47 bn in business for the company, Chambers said.

“I joined Cisco 17 years ago because I wanted to be a part of a company where I believed the possibilities were limitless. Today, I am even more convinced that Cisco is that company,” said Chuck Robbins.

John Chambers has served as CEO of Cisco since January 1995, having joined the company in 1991 as the head of sales. He has grown the company from $1.2 bn in annual revenue to its current run rate of $48 bn.

“Over the past 20 years, John Chambers’ vision and leadership have built Cisco into one of the most important companies in the world; a company fiercely committed to delivering for its customers, shareholders, partners, and employees. The opportunity that lies ahead for Cisco is enormous, and the ability to lead this next chapter is deeply humbling and incredibly exhilarating. I am focused on accelerating the innovation and execution that our customers need from us. Their success will continue to drive us. At a time when our industry is on the cusp of more disruption than we’ve ever encountered, I couldn’t be more confident in our ability to win, or more honored to lead this great company”, added Robbins.