Could a Former Nvidia Executive Replace Jensen Huang? Arm’s Rene Haas Emerges as Candidate

Nvidia's board has approached Arm CEO Rene Haas as a potential successor to Jensen Huang, according to the Financial Times. Haas is among several people under consideration for one of technology's most prominent leadership positions, though there is no guarantee he will receive or accept an offer.

The company told Reuters it was still selecting an executive search firm and had not formally engaged any candidates. "Any speculation regarding individual candidates, whether internal or external, is premature," the statement read.

Huang's departure

Huang resigned last Thursday after 33 years leading the company he co-founded. His departure followed reports of extramarital relationships, including one with a business executive suspected by U.S. officials of having Chinese intelligence ties. Nvidia stated it had no reason to believe its secrets were compromised.

Chief financial officer Colette Kress has taken over as interim CEO, while longtime director Harvey Jones has become board chair. Analysts have also suggested Nvidia data-center executive Ian Buck and AMD chief Lisa Su as possible successors, though these names remain unconfirmed.

Haas background

Haas, 64, is a Silicon Valley-based semiconductor executive with a career spanning engineering, product development and sales. He joined Nvidia in 2006 as vice president and general manager of its computing products business, spending seven years with the company before moving to Arm in 2013.

At Arm, Haas rose through the ranks to become CEO in February 2022, shortly after Nvidia's $40 billion takeover of the company collapsed under regulatory pressure. He successfully led Arm's $54.5 billion IPO in September 2023, one of the year's largest stock market debuts.

Employee response

An internal suggestion-box post at Nvidia has attracted over 1,600 comments, many supporting Huang's reinstatement. The campaign demonstrates Huang still has supporters within the company, though it does not indicate the board is considering bringing him back.

Other staff members have demanded greater transparency around Huang's departure. Meanwhile, Nvidia is scheduled to report earnings on November 17 with Kress at the helm as the permanent CEO search continues.