Arvind Krishna is the Chairman and CEO of IBM (NYSE: IBM), one of the world’s largest technology and consulting companies. Krishna took the helm as CEO in April 2020, succeeding Ginni Rometty, and became Chairman in January 2021. He is the architect of IBM’s landmark $34 billion acquisition of Red Hat and has refocused the 114-year-old company on hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence. Under his leadership, IBM spun off its managed infrastructure business as Kyndryl in 2021, grew annual revenue to $67.5 billion in FY2025, and built a generative AI book of business exceeding $12.5 billion. Krishna has spent his entire 35-year career at IBM.
Arvind Krishna – Quick Facts
| Arvind Krishna — At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arvind Krishna |
| Position | Chairman & Chief Executive Officer |
| Company | IBM (NYSE: IBM) |
| Age | 63 years (born 1962) |
| Education | B.Tech EE, IIT Kanpur; Ph.D. EE, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| Net Worth (2026) | ~$100–130 million |
| Total Compensation (2024) | $25.1 million |
| CEO Since | April 6, 2020 |
| Chairman Since | January 2021 |
| Headquarters | Armonk, New York |
| [email protected] | |
| Spouse | Sonia Jain Krishna |
Career Highlights
- 35-year IBM veteran — Joined IBM Research in 1990 straight from his PhD, one of the longest-tenured CEOs in Big Tech
- Architected the $34B Red Hat acquisition (2019) — the largest deal in IBM’s history and one of the biggest tech acquisitions ever
- Led the Kyndryl spin-off (2021) — separated IBM’s managed infrastructure services into an independent publicly traded company
- Built IBM’s AI platform watsonx — generative AI book of business surpassed $12.5 billion by Q4 2025
- Grew revenue to $67.5 billion in FY2025, up 6% year-over-year, with record free cash flow of $14.7 billion
- Holds 15+ patents in areas including security, databases, and distributed systems
Arvind Krishna Net Worth 2026 – IBM CEO Salary
As of 2026, Arvind Krishna’s net worth is estimated at approximately $100–130 million, based on his disclosed IBM stock holdings and vested equity. According to SEC filings, Krishna directly owns approximately 360,583 shares of IBM stock, valued at roughly $106 million at recent share prices. He also holds shares in Northrop Grumman Corporation, where he previously served on the board of directors.
Krishna’s total compensation rose 23% in 2024 to $25.1 million, reflecting IBM’s strong financial performance and growth in its AI and hybrid cloud businesses. Over 94% of his pay is performance-based.
IBM CEO Compensation Breakdown (FY2024)
| Component | Amount (USD) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $1,500,000 | 6.0% |
| Stock Awards | $14,800,000 | 58.9% |
| Option Awards | $4,490,000 | 17.9% |
| Non-Equity Incentive (Bonus) | $3,850,000 | 15.3% |
| Pension & Other | $459,000 | 1.8% |
| TOTAL | $25,143,682 | 100% |
Key Insight: Krishna’s annual bonus of $3.85 million represented 110% of his target opportunity, reflecting IBM’s strong 2024 performance. His CEO-to-median-employee pay ratio was 518:1, based on median employee compensation of $48,582.
IBM Financial Performance Under Arvind Krishna
Under Arvind Krishna’s leadership, IBM has transformed from a declining legacy hardware company into a growing hybrid cloud and AI enterprise. Revenue returned to consistent growth, margins expanded significantly, and the company’s generative AI business has emerged as a major growth driver.
IBM Financial Summary (FY2025 vs FY2024)
| Metric | FY2025 | FY2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $67.5B | $62.8B | ▲ +6% |
| Software Revenue | $30.4B | $27.1B | ▲ +12% |
| Free Cash Flow | $14.7B | $12.7B | ▲ +16% |
| Q4 2025 Revenue | $19.7B | — | ▲ +12% YoY |
| GenAI Book of Business | $12.5B+ | $5.0B+ | ▲ +150% |
| 2026 FCF Guidance | $15.7B | — | — |
Turnaround Story: IBM’s Q4 2025 revenue grew 12% year-over-year to $19.7 billion, with software revenue up 14%. Net income surged 93% in Q4 2025 to $5.6 billion. The company’s generative AI book of business more than doubled from $5 billion to over $12.5 billion in a single year.
IBM Competitors
IBM competes in the enterprise technology, cloud computing, and AI markets. Key competitors include:
- Microsoft (Azure, Copilot) — cloud and AI leader
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) — largest cloud infrastructure provider
- Google Cloud (Alphabet) — cloud and AI services
- Accenture — consulting and IT services
- Oracle — enterprise software and cloud
- Salesforce — enterprise CRM and AI
- SAP — enterprise resource planning
- Infosys / Wipro / TCS — IT consulting and services
Arvind Krishna Education & Early Life
Arvind Krishna was born on February 1, 1962, in the West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, India. His father, Major General Vinod Krishna, was an Indian Army officer, and his mother, Aarathi Krishna, was known for her charitable work helping Army widows. Growing up in a military family instilled discipline and dedication in young Arvind.
Krishna earned a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1985, one of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions. He then pursued a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1985–1991), with research focused on distributed systems and data management. He joined IBM Research immediately after completing his doctorate in 1990.
Arvind Krishna Career Timeline
| Period | Role | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | B.Tech in Electrical Engineering | IIT Kanpur |
| 1985–1991 | Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| 1990 | Joined IBM Research | IBM |
| 1990–2010 | Various R&D leadership roles (systems, storage, analytics) | IBM |
| 2010–2015 | GM, Information Management & Analytics | IBM |
| 2015–2020 | SVP, Cloud & Cognitive Software | IBM |
| 2019 | Architected $34B Red Hat acquisition | IBM |
| Apr 2020 | Named CEO (succeeding Ginni Rometty) | IBM |
| Jan 2021 | Added Chairman of the Board title | IBM |
| Nov 2021 | Led Kyndryl spin-off | IBM |
| 2023–Present | Launched watsonx AI platform; grew GenAI to $12.5B+ | IBM |
Arvind Krishna Personal Life & Family
Arvind Krishna is married to Sonia Jain Krishna. The couple has two children — a son, Avesh, and a daughter, Tarini. Krishna and his family reside in the New York metropolitan area.
Krishna is known as a quiet, technically focused leader who lets results speak for themselves — a contrast to the more public-facing style of some of his predecessors. Having spent his entire 35-year career at IBM, he is a true company lifer and one of the longest-tenured executives in Big Tech. He is IBM’s first Indian-born CEO.
Arvind Krishna Fun Facts
- Red Hat mastermind: Krishna personally drove the $34 billion Red Hat acquisition from concept to close, convincing both IBM’s board and Red Hat’s open-source community that the deal would preserve Red Hat’s independence.
- Patent holder: He holds over 15 patents in computer security, databases, and distributed systems.
- $8 trillion warning: At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Krishna warned about the “$8 trillion math problem” — the risk that global AI infrastructure spending has reached unsustainable levels, potentially leading to a massive economic correction.
- Military family: His father was a Major General in the Indian Army, instilling a sense of discipline that Krishna credits for his methodical leadership approach.
How to Contact Arvind Krishna – IBM CEO Email
Below are the official contact details for IBM CEO Arvind Krishna:
| Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| Email Address | [email protected] |
| Corporate Email Format | [email protected] |
| Corporate HQ | 1 New Orchard Road, Armonk, NY 10504 |
| Phone (Switchboard) | (914) 499-1900 |
| Investor Relations | ibm.com/investor |
| Press Inquiries | [email protected] |
| Arvind Krishna — Chairman & CEO at IBM | |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the current CEO of IBM?
The current CEO of IBM is Arvind Krishna, who has served as Chairman and CEO since April 2020 (CEO) and January 2021 (Chairman). He succeeded Ginni Rometty.
What is Arvind Krishna’s net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Arvind Krishna’s net worth is estimated at $100–130 million, primarily driven by his IBM stock holdings of approximately 360,583 shares worth about $106 million at recent prices.
What is IBM CEO’s salary?
Arvind Krishna’s total compensation for 2024 was $25.1 million, including a $1.5 million base salary, $14.8 million in stock awards, $4.49 million in option awards, and $3.85 million in performance bonus. His pay rose 23% from the prior year.
What is Arvind Krishna’s email address?
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna can be contacted at [email protected]. The general IBM corporate email format is [email protected]. Press inquiries should be directed to [email protected].
What was IBM’s biggest acquisition under Krishna?
The $34 billion acquisition of Red Hat in 2019, which Krishna personally architected as SVP of Cloud & Cognitive Software, is IBM’s largest acquisition ever and one of the biggest tech deals in history.
What is Arvind Krishna’s education?
Krishna holds a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur (1985) and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1991).
Is IBM profitable under Arvind Krishna?
Yes. IBM reported FY2025 revenue of $67.5 billion (up 6%), free cash flow of $14.7 billion (up 16%), and Q4 2025 net income surged 93% to $5.6 billion. The company’s generative AI book of business exceeded $12.5 billion.
Article last updated: February 2026
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including SEC filings, IBM proxy statements, official company press releases, and reputable news outlets. Net worth figures are estimates and may vary by source. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.