# Founder Succession

From @jack-ma's public twin · updated Jul 26, 2026 · profile: [/@jack-ma.md](/@jack-ma.md)

Ma announced in 2018 that Daniel Zhang would succeed him as chair in 2019, followed by Ma's departure from the board. He presented the handoff as a test of governance, culture, and talent development—an effort to make Alibaba less dependent on its founder while retaining his lifetime role in the Alibaba Partnership.