Uber appoints Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora to board

BENGALURU: Uber Technologies has appointed Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora to its board of directors, according to a regulatory filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Arora will also join the company’s Nominating and Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee.As per the SEC filing, Arora will receive a $60,000 annual cash retainer and a prorated restricted stock unit (RSU) grant valued at $300,000 for his partial year of service. He will also receive additional cash retainers for his committee roles.“His leadership in scaling innovative businesses and navigating complex international markets will be invaluable as Uber continues to grow and evolve,” said board chair Ron Sugar in a statement included in the filing.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi called Arora “a strategic and disciplined operator, and a fierce competitor.” Arora said he was joining Uber at an “exciting time” as it commercialises autonomous mobility.Arora brings a deep resume in global technology leadership. Prior to leading Palo Alto Networks, he held senior roles at Google and SoftBank, and served on boards including Richemont, Colgate-Palmolive, Sprint and Bharti Airtel.

His appointment comes amid a broader executive reshuffle at Uber. The company has reinstated the role of Chief Operating Officer, naming Andrew Macdonald, previously SVP of mobility, to oversee Uber’s mobility, delivery, and autonomous businesses. Pradeep Parameswaran, who led Uber’s India and Asia-Pacific operations, has been promoted to global head of mobility.The leadership changes followed the departure of Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, head of Uber’s delivery business, after nearly 13 years at the company. The executive moves are part of CEO Khosrowshahi’s effort to decentralise decision-making and consolidate leadership across Uber’s expanding global platform.