San Mateo, CA – July 28, 2026 – Freshworks Inc. (NASDAQ: FRSH), the innovative AI-powered unified service operations platform, has announced the appointment of Ryan Manning as its new Chief Product and Technology Officer, effective August 10, 2026. Manning will report directly to CEO Dennis Woodside and will succeed Srini Raghavan, who is leaving the company to embark on an entrepreneurial journey.

1. Strategic Leadership Transition

The appointment of Manning represents a strategic consolidation of product and technology leadership at Freshworks. As the company continues to expand its influence within the mid-market and agile enterprise sectors, this unification is expected to enhance operational efficiencies and accelerate the development of customer-centric solutions. Murali Swaminathan will continue to serve as Chief Technology Officer, working under Manning's leadership.

2. Vision for the Future

Dennis Woodside, CEO of Freshworks, expressed confidence in Manning’s capabilities, stating, "Ryan has the unique ability to quickly turn what customers need into products that win in the market." He emphasized the importance of integrating product and engineering functions to better respond to the rapidly evolving landscape influenced by artificial intelligence. Woodside remarked, "As AI changes how quickly and how deeply our customers can put new capability to work, we're excited to bring product and engineering back together under a single organization so we can move with more speed and less friction."

3. Manning's Role and Responsibilities

In his new role, Manning will be responsible for setting the overall product and technology strategy for Freshworks' suite of AI, IT, and customer experience offerings. He will oversee the global product roadmap and the engineering organization that drives the company’s platform, which is designed to be fast to deploy and intuitive for users, ultimately enhancing productivity across all employee levels.

4. A Proven Track Record

Ryan Manning brings a wealth of experience to Freshworks, having held significant roles in both startups and established global software companies. His previous tenure includes a pivotal role at ServiceNow during its critical growth phase surrounding its IPO, as well as co-founding FreeAgent CRM, which has since evolved into Servis.ai. Most recently, he served as Chief Product Officer at BMC Helix, where he effectively bridged product and technology teams, sharpened the company’s strategy around ServiceOps and agentic AI, and positioned the organization for its next stage of growth.

Manning holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from San Diego State University, where he actively contributes to the board of the university's Computer Science program. He will be based at Freshworks’ headquarters in San Mateo, California.

5. Looking Ahead

With Manning's extensive background and vision, Freshworks is poised to lead the transformation in the service software market. As AI continues to reshape expectations and capabilities, Manning's focus will likely sharpen Freshworks’ competitive edge, enabling the company to deliver impactful solutions that address the evolving needs of businesses.

Freshworks' commitment to innovation and service excellence is underscored by its portfolio of trusted clients, including prominent organizations such as Bridgestone, New Balance, S&P Global, and Sony Music. As the company embarks on this new chapter with Manning at the helm of product and technology, stakeholders will be keenly watching for advancements that could further enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

For further updates and insights, follow Freshworks on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.

Original press release