How LinkedIn’s Newest CEO Plans to Revive Company Growth

Previous COO Daniel Shapero has been named as the newest CEO of LinkedIn, succeeding Ryan Roslansky, who has run the subsidiary since 2020.

Microsoft, LinkedIn’s parent company, announced Daniel’s promotion on 22 April, stating that Ryan would leave the CEO role but retain his position as Microsoft’s Executive Vice President.

The change will be effective immediately.

“Dan has led sales, marketing and product across the most important parts of this business,” Ryan says in a LinkedIn post discussing Daniel’s succession. 

“He knows our members, our customers and carries the mission in a way that’s genuinely rare.”

Daniel has been with LinkedIn since 2008, previously serving as the company’s Chief Business Officer and Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, he will report directly to Ryan and oversee the entire company and executive team.

Discussing his appointment in a LinkedIn post, Daniel says: “[Working at LinkedIn has] shaped me as a person for the better because of our people, our culture, our mission and vision, and the way we come together to take on meaningful challenges and create real impact. All of it.”

LinkedIn’s mission remains unchanged

Dan’s transition reflects a change in leadership and company direction for both LinkedIn and Microsoft.

The executive reshuffle comes just weeks after Microsoft’s top-ranking Office leader, Rajesh Jha announced plans to retire in March and Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s Head of Gaming, stepped down in February.

Additionally, Mohak Shroff, previously LinkedIn’s Senior Vice President of Engineering, has transitioned to the role of President of Platforms & Digital Work for Microsoft.

In a company statement, LinkedIn acknowledges these recent changes, saying: “LinkedIn’s leadership is changing, but our mission remains the same: connect the world's professionals to make them more productive and successful. 

“With north of US$19bn in annual revenue and over 1.3 billion members and 70 million companies, the opportunity ahead has never been greater.”

AI as a driver of growth

Alongside changes at the executive level, LinkedIn and Microsoft have also sought to realign their technology strategies, recently adding new AI features across both Office products and the LinkedIn platform, such as Copilot’s ability to run across workflows and LinkedIn’s AI model comparison feature.

Microsoft has also continued investment into data centre infrastructure, with the aim to provide AI computing power to cloud clients.

LinkedIn’s revenue increased 11% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2025, however growth has slowed since Microsoft acquired the company for US$27bn in 2016. 

The platform has more than 1.3 billion members globally and contributed 6.3% of Microsoft’s annual revenue in 2025, highlighting its strategic place within the group.

Daniel discusses company growth in his LinkedIn post, saying: “The power of economic opportunity and the promise of LinkedIn has never been more important than it is today as the world is transformed by AI and professionals everywhere must transition along with it.”

He continues, outlining how his experience will inform his position as CEO, saying: “As I step into this role, similar to how I have approached new responsibilities in the past, I’ll start by learning and listening… connecting with our team, members, creators and customers, each of whom make LinkedIn the platform that helps create economic opportunity.”