Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns; CFO Colette Kress appointed interim CEO

Nvidia co-founder and chief executive Jensen Huang has resigned from his position with immediate effect, the company said on Thursday. 

The chipmaker's board has appointed its executive vice-president and chief financial officer, Colette Kress, as interim CEO while it searches for a permanent successor. Kress will continue to serve as the company's CFO alongside her interim CEO responsibilities until a permanent appointment is made. The company said it would consider both internal and external candidates for the top position.

Huang's resignation comes days after he publicly admitted to being unfaithful to his wife. In a message to Nvidia employees published on November 8, the CEO apologised to his family, acknowledged that his actions had hurt his wife and children, and said he took full responsibility. The admission followed reports of his relationship with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed International, whom US authorities reportedly suspect of having links to Chinese intelligence. Nvidia's board subsequently launched an independent investigation into whether its CEO had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort.

The company has also appointed Harvey C Jones as the first-ever chair of its board. Jones, who has served on Nvidia's board since 1993, is an entrepreneur, technology executive and venture investor. He previously served as CEO and executive chairman of chip-design software company Synopsys.

In its announcement, Nvidia said the board had full confidence in Kress and the company's leadership team, adding that its operations, customer commitments and product roadmap were expected to continue without interruption.

"Colette has helped lead NVIDIA through a period of extraordinary growth and has a deep understanding of our business, customers, operations and financial position," said Jones, chair of the board.

Kress joined Nvidia in September 2013 and has since led its finance organisation. Before joining the chipmaker, she spent nearly 25 years in finance roles at technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft.

In her first comments as interim CEO, Kress said the company would build on the foundation established by Huang, who co-founded Nvidia 33 years ago.

"NVIDIA's strength has always come from its people, and together with our leadership team, I am committed to building on the extraordinary foundation Jensen created over the last 33 years," she said.

She added that the company would continue advancing its work in accelerated computing and artificial intelligence, while focusing on serving its customers, partners, developers and shareholders.

Nvidia said it would announce its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results on November 17, as previously scheduled.