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Intel CEO Brian Krzanich resigned on June 20, 2018, after an investigation found that a past consensual relationship with an Intel employee violated the company’s non-fraternization policy for managers. Intel’s board accepted his resignation and appointed CFO Robert “Bob” Swan interim CEO. The company announced the change the next day.
Why did Brian Krzanich leave Intel?
Intel said internal and external counsel investigated after the company learned of Krzanich’s past relationship with an employee. The investigation confirmed that it violated Intel’s non-fraternization policy, which applied to all managers. The board accepted his resignation as CEO and director. Intel’s announcement described the relationship as consensual and in the past.
The company did not publicly identify the employee or state when the relationship occurred, how long it lasted, or whether the employee reported to Krzanich. Intel’s statement established a policy violation; it did not announce a finding of harassment, coercion, or retaliation. Reports that the relationship had ended before Intel learned of it relied on anonymous sources, rather than details in the company’s announcement.
Was Krzanich fired or did he resign?
Intel’s official account is that Krzanich resigned and the board accepted his resignation. Contemporary coverage described him as forced out or ousted, but Intel did not announce a formal firing. “Resigned after the board found a policy violation” is the most precise description of what the company disclosed. Bloomberg’s contemporary report framed the departure in the context of the relationship and board action.
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What Intel’s policy statement does—and does not—say
Intel identified the rule as a non-fraternization policy that applied to all managers. The company did not publish the policy text in its announcement or explain its exceptions, reporting requirements, or how it treated different reporting relationships. The statement therefore does not support the broader claim that Intel banned all employee dating, nor does it establish that the employee was Krzanich’s subordinate.
Because Intel characterized the relationship as consensual, it should not be described as proven harassment or abuse. That characterization does not change the company’s stated conclusion that the relationship breached a rule applicable to managers. The employee’s identity was not disclosed, and there is no basis to speculate about it.
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When did the resignation and leadership change happen?
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 20, 2018 | Krzanich resigned as CEO and board member; Swan was appointed interim CEO. |
| June 21, 2018 | Intel publicly announced the resignation and leadership change. |
| January 30, 2019 | Intel named Swan permanent CEO. |
The distinction between June 20 and June 21 matters: the resignation and interim appointment took effect on June 20, while Intel’s public announcement followed on June 21, as reflected in the company’s Form 8-K.
Who was Brian Krzanich, and what was Intel working on?
Krzanich joined Intel as an engineer in 1982, became chief operating officer in 2012, and took over as CEO in May 2013. During his tenure, Intel pushed beyond its traditional PC-chip business toward data centers, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and other data-centric markets. Its 2017 acquisition of Mobileye for about $15.3 billion was part of that broader expansion.
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That strategic context helps explain why a sudden CEO departure raised succession questions, but Intel did not say that strategy or business performance caused the resignation. The public explanation was the investigation’s finding that Krzanich’s relationship violated company policy.
Did the resignation mean Intel was in financial crisis?
Not on the evidence Intel released alongside the announcement. On June 21, 2018, the company raised its second-quarter outlook, projecting approximately $16.9 billion in revenue and $0.99 in non-GAAP earnings per share for that quarter. Intel also described 2018 as another record year. Those were company forecasts at the time, not final results.
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The leadership departure was a governance and policy-enforcement shock. Intel’s outlook showed that the company was not presenting it as a consequence of an immediate financial collapse. Broader competitive and technology-market pressures were separate business issues, not an announced reason for Krzanich’s exit.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who replaced Krzanich?
Robert “Bob” Swan, Intel’s CFO since October 2016, became interim CEO immediately and retained the CFO role during the interim period. Intel said it would search for a permanent chief executive, considering internal and external candidates. On January 30, 2019, it named Swan permanent CEO. Intel’s later announcement confirmed the appointment.
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