Zhang mentioned the choice to step down was a part of his personal plan.
Zhang’s intentions to solely give attention to cloud now have been some years in the making. In an interview with CNBC in 2018, Zhang mentioned cloud computing will be the firm’s “primary enterprise” in the future, underscoring his bullishness relating to the know-how.
My fellow Aliren,
Since changing into CEO of Alibaba Group in May 2015, it has develop into my customized to ship a number of letters to everybody yearly. As lots of you may have come to count on when receiving such a letter, it typically alerts a major organizational change. Today is not any exception. This time, nevertheless, the information I’m sharing includes an essential private change.
I’m happy to report that our organizational transformation into the “1+6+N” mannequin has been progressing as deliberate since we made the announcement. During our most up-to-date earnings announcement, we launched the board of administrators for every of the six main enterprise teams, and these entities are actually all totally operational. We additionally introduced plans for a sequence of serious transactions, which embody Cloud Intelligence Group’s full spin-off and itemizing as an unbiased firm, IPOs for Cainiao Smart Logistics and Freshippo, and exterior capital elevating for AIDC. Alibaba can have a brand-new outlook for the future.
As everyone seems to be nicely conscious, the improvement of core applied sciences comparable to cloud computing, massive information and AI will lead to an amazing transformation of our society and is of utmost strategic significance. Cloud Intelligence Group is now full velocity forward on its spin-off plans and we are approaching an important stage of the course of, so it’s the proper time for me to dedicate my full consideration and time to the enterprise. From a company governance perspective, we additionally want clear separation between the board and administration workforce as Cloud Intelligence Group proceeds down the path to changing into an unbiased public firm. It would be inappropriate for me to proceed serving as Chairman and CEO of each corporations at the identical time throughout the spin-off course of. Therefore, the Alibaba board of administrators has mentioned and accepted my plan to transition from the function of Chairman and CEO of Alibaba Group to focus completely on my function as Chairman and CEO of Cloud Intelligence Group, efficient September tenth 2023. In flip, the Alibaba board of administrators has appointed Joseph C. Tsai to succeed me as Chairman and Eddie Yongming Wu to succeed me as Chief Executive Officer. As co-founders and companions of the firm, Joe and Eddie have made vital contributions to the firm’s improvement and possess a wealth of invaluable expertise. I’ve each confidence that their management will information Alibaba towards new heights.
This change signifies a brand new section and new journey, not just for the firm but in addition for me personally. Time flies, and this 12 months marks my sixteenth 12 months at Alibaba Group. My appointment as CEO and Chairman of Alibaba Group was past my creativeness. Being in a position to totally dedicate myself to the roles for so long as I’ve is actually due to the belief, help, encouragement, and endurance I’ve acquired from everybody. For this, I’m eternally deeply grateful. Due to the historic alternatives that emerged by means of social progress and market improvement over the previous 16 years, I had the privilege of witnessing the fast development of Alibaba and took part alongside everybody in so many achievements from inception to maturation that has impacted individuals’s on a regular basis lives, enabled the digital transformation of companies, and made constructive contributions to society. Together we withstood the challenges caused by the pandemic and weathered the uncertainties of the macro setting over the previous three years. Through prosperity and adversity, we grew stronger, shared unforgettable experiences, and persevered by means of it all collectively. I’m grateful for the friendships and bonds solid throughout this journey that’s extra invaluable and significant to me than anything.
Over the previous 24 years, we have initiated self-reinvention many occasions. Today, we are all standing collectively at a brand new place to begin, hoping to unlock new development by means of self-transformation. I do know everybody will proceed to help Joe, Eddie, and the new senior administration workforce. I hope everybody will discover the finest path and platform for themselves. Your self-fulfilment will profit society and the firm, however extra importantly, hopefuly will make it easier to uncover how to be the finest model of your self. The workforce at Cloud Intelligence Group and I are additionally standing on a model new stage, and we will leverage the energy of latest know-how in cloud computing, massive information, and synthetic intelligence to serve the digital transformation of enterprises of all sizes and industries and seize the large potential caused by AI. I’m extremely keen and excited.
My buddies, the panorama may evolve, however the mountains stay and the rivers will proceed to movement. Let’s begin a brand new chapter. When we meet once more, may we all be carefree!
Daniel Zhang
Alibaba Group Chairman and CEO
Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group Chairman and CEO
2023.6.20