Salesforce selects Keith Block as co-CEO alongside Marc Benioff

Salesforce has promoted chief operating officer Keith Block to co-CEO where, he will lead the software giant alongside founder and current boss Marc Benioff.

Under the new leadership structure, Block will take over the company's growth strategy, execution and operations, reporting to the board of directors.

Benioff will spearhead Salesforce's "vision and innovation" in technology, marketing, stakeholder engagement and culture and will remain as chairman of the board of directors.

“Salesforce’s success is a testament to Marc’s visionary leadership, which has created an unparalleled culture of trust, innovation and equality, as well as a relentless focus on customer success. I’m honoured to be co-CEO and to leverage each of our strengths as we lead Salesforce, our employees, customers and partners into the future," Block said.

Block joined Salesforce in June 2013 and served as vice chairman, president and director before taking the COO role in 2016. Prior to that, Block spent 26 years at Oracle, most recently as EVP for North America before leaving in 2012.

Commenting on his appointment, Benioff said: “Keith has been my trusted partner in running Salesforce for the past five years, and I’m thrilled to welcome him as co-CEO. Keith has outstanding operational expertise and corporate leadership experience, and I could not be happier for his promotion and this next level of our partnership.”

Salesforce also promoted co-founder and CTO Park Harris to the company's board of directors. Harris co-founded Salesforce in 1999 along with former Oracle executives Benioff, Dave Moellenhoff and Frank Dominguez.

“It’s been a privilege to be part of Salesforce as we’ve revolutionized the software industry, built a world-class company culture and grown into a Fortune 500 company. I’m grateful and honoured to join the board of directors,” Harris said.

Salesforce agreed to buy API management vendor MuleSoft for US$6.5 billion in March, helping the company achieve more than US$3 billion in sales in the first quarter of FY18.