Keysight Technologies announces new CEO

• Will resume role as CEO from May 1
• Former CEO to continue as executive chairman of the board

Keysight Technologies, Inc has announced that effective May 1, Satish Dhanasekaran, its current chief operating officer (COO) will become president and chief executive officer (CEO), and will join the Keysight board of directors. 

Ron Nersesian, the current president and CEO of Keysight, will be retiring after a long and successful career with the company but will continue as executive chairman of the Board, the company said in a statement.

"I am proud of the results that the Keysight team has achieved for customers and shareholders and looking ahead, I am even more confident of its future prospects and ability to drive further value creation given the strength of the company's differentiated solutions, R&D investments, sales and marketing engines, leadership team, balance sheet, and culture," said Nersesian. 

Nersesian spent over 30 years with the company and its predecessors. He became president and CEO of Keysight when Agilent Technologies decided to spin-out the business in 2013. 

Since becoming an independent public company in 2014, the company said it has executed its software-centric solutions strategy by focusing on customer success, strengthening its differentiated solutions portfolio. 

Under Nersesian's leadership, Keysight's revenues have increased at a 10% compound annual growth rate, while generating annualised earnings and free cash flow growth of 18% and 25% respectively, the company claimed.

It also claimed that as of the end of fiscal year 2021, Keysight's market capitalisation has increased six-fold, while delivering shareholder returns nearly four times that of the S&P 500 Index.

"I feel confident in Keysight’s future with Dhanasekaran as CEO and the exceptional leadership team and employees in place.

“I look forward to continuing with Keysight as executive chairman and working with Dhanasekaran and the board to build on Keysight's strong momentum to create further value for all stakeholders," he said.

Dhanasekaran began his career at Keysight in 2006. He has been COO since 2020, focused on growing orders, increasing annual recurring revenue and driving the company's growth initiatives.

He oversees the Keysight functions that contribute to these objectives, including market and technology research; development of new technologies, products, and solutions; services; marketing; and sales.

Before becoming COO, Dhanasekaran led Keysight's Communications Solutions Group, the company's largest business segment, that addresses the communications ecosystem, including wireless and wireline, as well as aerospace defense and government customers. 

At the same time, Dhanasekaran established Keysight's leadership in 5G and made significant contributions to accelerate technology adoption in other key areas

He has over 20 years of experience in the communications industry spanning business leadership, product, sales, marketing, and business development.

"I am honored that the board has selected me to succeed Nersesian's as Keysight's president and CEO.

"I look forward to working with the team to execute our software-centric solutions strategy and apply the Keysight Leadership Model to deliver greater value for our customers, shareholders and employees," he said.