Cybersecurity firm McAfee has announced that Greg Johnson has been appointed president and chief executive officer (CEO), effective June 13, 2022. 

Johnson succeeds Peter Leav, who will be stepping down as president and CEO.

Johnson’s appointment comes as part of the company’s transition to a pure-play consumer protection company, which began following the divestment of McAfee’s Enterprise security business in 2021. 

“Greg brings more than 25 years of consumer business experience at truly innovative, leading brands,” said Bruce Chizen, chairman of McAfee’s board of directors.  “Greg holds an impressive track record of cultivating multi-billion-dollar growth strategies for consumer businesses while delivering increasing value to customers. As we continue to build on McAfee’s 30-year history as a global leader in online protection, Greg’s proven expertise makes him the leader of choice to spearhead future growth for the company.”

“We’re incredibly excited to have Greg join McAfee at this time and are proud of the momentum we’ve built. On behalf of the board, we’d like to thank Peter for the important role he has played in positioning McAfee for this next stage of growth as a pure-play consumer business,” Chizen added. 

Johnson previously served as executive vice president and general manager of Intuit. Prior to Intuit, he built extensive consumer growth experience in leadership roles for iconic brands including Kraft, Kodak, Best Buy, Gillette, and Advanced Auto Parts. Johnson also currently serves on the board of directors at Qualcomm.

“The McAfee brand holds an enviable reputation of trust, quality and innovation and I’m excited to lead the company in its next phase of growth,” said Johnson.

“Thank you to the McAfee team for your commitment to our customers and partners, your alignment to our values, and the industry leading results you have driven. I wish Greg and the team even greater success and have the utmost confidence in the future of McAfee,” added Leav.

Under Leav’s leadership, McAfee also recently completed a $14 billion sale to an investor group led by Advent International, and funds advised by Permira, Crosspoint Capital Partners L.P., Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, GIC Private Limited, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the company said in a statement.