---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-23-214352"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SNPS"
cik: "0000883241"
company_name: "SYNOPSYS INC"
filed_at: "2023-08-16T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-11T09:02:46.221317+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Synopsys CEO Aart de Geus to step down Jan 1, 2024; COO Sassine Ghazi to become CEO

## Summary
- Sassine Ghazi promoted from President/COO to President and CEO, effective Jan 1, 2024; also appointed to board Aug 13, 2023.
- Aart de Geus transitions to Executive Chair, continuing board role; founded Synopsys in 1986.
- Succession follows multi-year planning process; Ghazi has 25 years at Synopsys, previously engineer at Intel.
- Board expanded from 10 to 11 directors to accommodate Ghazi's appointment.
- Compensation terms for de Geus and Ghazi to be disclosed later via amendment.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-23-214352
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SNPS
- cik: 0000883241
- company_name: SYNOPSYS INC
- filed_at: 2023-08-16T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883241/000119312523214352/0001193125-23-214352-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883241/000119312523214352/d529777d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-214352
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-214352.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-214352.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Sassine Ghazi was appointed as Director at SYNOPSYS INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: On August 13, 2023, the Board also approved an increase in the size of the Board from ten to eleven directors, and appointed Mr. Ghazi as a director, in each case, effective as of August 13, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883241/000119312523214352/0001193125-23-214352-index.htm
- Executive change
  Aart J. de Geus changed role as Executive Chair of the Board at SYNOPSYS INC.
  - Action: stepped down as Chief Executive Officer
  - Role: Executive Chair of the Board
  source text: On August 12, 2023, Aart J. de Geus informed the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) of Synopsys, Inc. (“ Synopsys ”) of his intent to step down as Chief Executive Officer of Synopsys, effective January 1, 2024 (the “ Effective Date ”). In connection therewith, on August 13, 2023, the Board promoted Sassine Ghazi, Synopsys’ President and Chief Operating Officer, to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, and appointed Dr. de Geus to the role of Executive Chair of the Board, in each case, effective as of the Effective Date.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883241/000119312523214352/0001193125-23-214352-index.htm
- Executive change
  Sassine Ghazi changed role as President and Chief Executive Officer at SYNOPSYS INC.
  - Action: promoted
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: the Board promoted Sassine Ghazi, Synopsys’ President and Chief Operating Officer, to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883241/000119312523214352/0001193125-23-214352-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.