Freshworks Unifies Product and Tech Under New Chief
Event summary
- Ryan Manning joins Freshworks as Chief Product and Technology Officer on August 10, 2026.
- Manning succeeds Srini Raghavan, who is leaving to pursue an entrepreneurial venture.
- Murali Swaminathan remains as Chief Technology Officer, reporting to Manning.
- Manning previously led product teams at BMC Helix and co-founded Servis.ai.
The big picture
Freshworks' move to unify product and technology strategy under a single executive reflects the growing importance of AI in service operations software. This shift aims to enhance speed and reduce friction, positioning Freshworks to compete more effectively with established players like ServiceNow. The appointment underscores the company's focus on rapid deployment and intuitive usability as key differentiators in a crowded market.
What we're watching
- Execution Risk
- Whether Manning can successfully unify product and technology teams to accelerate Freshworks' AI-driven service operations platform.
- Market Positioning
- How Freshworks will differentiate itself in the competitive AI-powered service software market under Manning's leadership.
- Strategic Alignment
- The pace at which Freshworks can align its product roadmap with mid-market and agile enterprise needs.