Introduction
Two big Nvidia investors have written to the board. Their message is simple: slow down. Brad Gerstner of Altimeter Capital and Gavin Baker of Atreides Management posted their letter on X on Friday, November 13. They want the board to take its time picking a new chief executive. They also want the board to keep one option open. That option is the return of Jensen Huang. Huang resigned on November 12 after 33 years as boss. The two investors are not asking for him to be put back in the job right away. They are asking the board not to rush.
What Happened
The letter asks the board to “pursue a slow, measured, and deliberate process regarding the future leadership of Nvidia.” It says the process should leave “all options on the table, including the potential return of Jensen Huang.” The two men run funds that held about $2.13 billion of Nvidia stock as of June 30. Altimeter alone held 9.4 million shares, worth nearly $1.9 billion at that date. Those numbers are more than three months old now, so the funds may hold more or less today. The letter praises interim chief executive Colette Kress. She was Nvidia’s chief financial officer for 13 years. The letter says Nvidia “will be capably led” by her while the search runs. It also says Huang “has earned the right for a deliberate process that avoids any needless rush to replace him before all the facts are known.”
Why It Happened
Huang quit suddenly on November 12. The board accepted his resignation on November 11, and the news came out the next day. Reports about his personal relationships and an independent board review were behind the exit. The board has hired the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz to run that review. No findings have been made public yet. Many investors still trust Huang. He built Nvidia from a small chip firm into the most valuable chip company in the world. Some fans have gone further than the letter. An online petition called “Stand with Jensen” asks the board to bring him back now. It passed 100,000 signatures by Saturday, and Tesla boss Elon Musk said he signed it too. The two investors take a calmer line. They do not ask for him back now. They only ask the board to wait until all the facts are known.
Why It Matters
A rushed pick could be a costly mistake. Nvidia is the heart of the artificial intelligence boom. Its next boss will guide the company through a scandal and a fast-changing chip market. Gerstner and Baker own a large stake, so the board will read their letter with care. But the letter is only a request. The writers accept that. They say that if the board decides, after all the facts are known, that bringing Huang back is not in shareholders’ best interest, “that is the Board’s prerogative.” In plain words, the final call belongs to the board. The board has not answered the letter in public. On November 13, it said it was still picking a firm to run the search for a permanent boss. It had not formally talked to any candidate yet.
What Happens Next
Nvidia reports its quarterly results on Tuesday, November 17. It will be the first report since Huang left. Kress will post written comments ahead of the call. Investors will watch the numbers and listen for any hint about the search. The board’s review of the scandal is still running, with no finish date given. The petition keeps growing, and more investors may speak up. For now, the board faces two kinds of pressure. One side wants speed and a fresh face. The other side, led by Gerstner and Baker, wants time and an open mind.
Final Thoughts
The letter is not a demand. It is a plea for patience. Gerstner and Baker think the board should learn the full story before it picks a new leader. They also think Huang deserves a fair look, even if he never returns. Whether the board agrees is still unknown. What is clear is that the next few weeks will shape Nvidia for years. A careful choice now is worth more than a fast one.
Quick Questions
What do Gerstner and Baker want from Nvidia’s board?
They want a slow, measured and deliberate search for a new CEO. The search should leave all options open, including the possible return of Jensen Huang.
Are they asking for Huang to return right away?
No. The letter does not call for his immediate return. It only asks the board not to rush into picking a replacement before all the facts are known.
How much Nvidia stock do the two investors hold?
Together, their funds held about $2.13 billion of Nvidia stock as of June 30. Altimeter alone held 9.4 million shares, worth nearly $1.9 billion at that date.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Sources: CNBC https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/14/nvidia-investors-jensen-huang-return-board-letter.html , TalkEsport https://www.talkesport.com/business/nvidia-shareholders-letter-jensen-huang-return-altimeter-atreides/ , Moneywise https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/leo-koguan-stops-buying-nvidia-stock-jensen-huang
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