Uber adds Palo Alto CEO Nikesh Arora to its board after executive shakeup

Uber has announced that Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, will join its board of directors, as revealed in a regulatory filing on Wednesday. This addition comes during a significant executive reshuffle at the ride-hailing giant, which saw Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, the head of delivery, depart after 13 years. Andrew Macdonald has been elevated to president and chief operating officer, marking the first time Uber has had this position since 2019. In his statement, Arora expressed excitement about joining the board, emphasizing Uber's pivotal role in advancing autonomous mobility on a global scale. He remarked, 'Uber has already fundamentally transformed how people and goods move through cities, and I look forward to contributing to the company's continued success.' Arora has led Palo Alto Networks since 2018 and has an extensive background in the tech industry, having previously served as president and COO of Softbank, as well as holding positions at Google and T-Mobile. He also has board experience with various firms, including Softbank and Colgate-Palmolive. Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, praised Arora, calling him a 'strategic and disciplined operator' and expressed enthusiasm for his insights as the company navigates its long-term strategy. The timing of these changes coincides with intensified competition in the autonomous vehicle sector, particularly as Tesla prepares to launch its robotaxi service in Austin. Meanwhile, Waymo has celebrated a significant milestone, reaching 10 million paid driverless rides, with a remarkable increase in weekly rides. The management restructuring, featuring Macdonald's promotion, may enable Khosrowshahi to focus on strategic initiatives. Since joining Uber in 2017, Khosrowshahi has led the company through its IPO in 2019 and its first operating profit in 2021, while also expanding its food delivery services and enhancing regulatory relations. In an internal memo, Khosrowshahi assured employees of his commitment, stating, 'I have no plans to go anywhere anytime soon.' Arora's role on the board will come with a $60,000 annual cash retainer and $300,000 in restricted stock units each year, as detailed in the filing.