Lip-Bu Tan
Summary
Lip-Bu Tan is Intel’s chief executive officer and a board director, a position he has held since March 18, 2025. ([newsroom.intel.com](https://newsroom.intel.com/biography/lip-bu-tan?utm_source=openai))
Biography
Tan is a longtime technology investor and semiconductor executive with more than two decades of industry experience. Before joining Intel, he was chief executive officer of Cadence Design Systems from 2009 to 2021, where he also served on the board. ([newsroom.intel.com](https://newsroom.intel.com/biography/lip-bu-tan?utm_source=openai)) He is a founding managing partner of Walden Catalyst Ventures and chairman of Walden International. He has also served on the boards of Credo Technology Group and Schneider Electric. Tan holds a physics degree from Nanyang Technological University, a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from MIT, and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. ([newsroom.intel.com](https://newsroom.intel.com/biography/lip-bu-tan?utm_source=openai)) At Intel, Tan has emphasized customer focus, engineering execution, product competitiveness, and rebuilding Intel Foundry. He became CEO after serving on Intel’s board and succeeded interim co-CEOs David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus. ([newsroom.intel.com](https://newsroom.intel.com/corporate/intel-appoints-lip-bu-tan-chief-executive-officer?utm_source=openai))
Notable achievements
- Led Cadence for 12 years; during his tenure, the company more than doubled revenue, expanded operating margins, and underwent a customer-focused cultural transformation. ([newsroom.intel.com](https://newsroom.intel.com/biography/lip-bu-tan?utm_source=openai))
- Built a long career and network across semiconductor design, software, venture capital, and technology investing. ([newsroom.intel.com](https://newsroom.intel.com/biography/lip-bu-tan?utm_source=openai))
- At Intel, established an engineering-first and customer-centered turnaround agenda focused on products, manufacturing, and foundry execution. ([newsroom.intel.com](https://newsroom.intel.com/corporate/intel-vision-2025-keynote-roundup?utm_source=openai))
- Oversaw a major cost and organizational restructuring in 2025, including workforce reductions and a more streamlined operating model. ([m.investing.com](https://m.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/intel-to-slash-workforce-by-yearend-as-it-forecasts-steeper-losses-than-expected-4151845?ampMode=1&utm_source=openai))
- Intel reported that its Foundry operating loss improved from $13.3 billion in 2024 to $10.3 billion in 2025, while 18A entered high-volume production during 2025. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/50863/000005086326000011/intc-20251227.htm?utm_source=openai))
Problem areas / controversies
- Intel entered Tan’s tenure with substantial manufacturing, product, and profitability problems; the company reported a $13.3 billion operating loss in 2024 before improving in 2025. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/50863/000005086326000011/intc-20251227.htm?utm_source=openai))
- His restructuring included large workforce reductions, which drew criticism from employees and highlighted the human cost of the turnaround. ([m.investing.com](https://m.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/intel-to-slash-workforce-by-yearend-as-it-forecasts-steeper-losses-than-expected-4151845?ampMode=1&utm_source=openai))
- Tan faced scrutiny over investments in Chinese technology companies, including firms that Reuters reported had links to China’s military ecosystem; the issue prompted political criticism and questions about conflicts of interest. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/intel-ceo-invested-in-hundreds-of-chinese-companies-some-with-military-ties-3978618?utm_source=openai))
- Cadence, which Tan led until 2021, pleaded guilty in 2025 to export-control violations involving sales of electronic-design tools to a restricted Chinese military university and agreed to pay more than $140 million; the conduct involved a Cadence subsidiary and occurred during Tan’s tenure, although the public enforcement materials do not identify Tan as a defendant. ([justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/nsd/case/united-states-v-cadence-design-systems-inc?utm_source=openai))