Web Summit still reeling from Cosgrave crisis with replacement stepping down after just 3 months
Katherine Maher is leaving the role of CEO and Chairperson to run NPR, the American non-profit media group
Web Summit has announced that new CEO Katherine Maher is departing from her role only three months after taking over from Paddy Cosgrave. Cosgrave was effectively forced to resign in October 2023 when several high-profile Israeli entrepreneurs and global giants boycotted Web Summit’s flagship event after he criticized Israel for violating international law and committing “war crimes” in the hours after the October 7 attacks.
Web Summit issued the following statement on behalf of Maher: “I have absolutely loved leading the Web Summit team. Even in a short space of time I have seen the determination, passion, and creativity across teams to continuously deliver incredible events to the world. While I’m sad to leave, I am thrilled to contribute in a different way as Chair, continuing to work with the executive team through 2024 and beyond.” Web Summit has already started its search for a new CEO.
Maher is now stepping down to head NPR, the American non-profit media group but will stay on as a non-executive chair of Web Summit’s board.
The resignation is another blow to Web Summit’s attempts to recover from the uproar caused by Cosgrave’s comments toward the end of the year. His remarks posted on X led to several prominent tech figures and investors from Israel and the U.S. pulling out of the event scheduled for November, including Lighticks CEO Zeev Farbman, Bright Data CEO Or Lenchner, and Taboola’s Adam Singolda. At first, the former CEO stood by his remarks and remained defiant that he was entitled to comment on the issue.
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Once large companies such as Google, Meta, Intel, Amazon, and Stripe, also pulled out, it became inevitable that Cosgrave would have to go. After apologizing and then resigning, new leadership in Maher was expected to help steady the ship and restore the reputation of the company, although now it may take a few more months yet before that becomes the case.
Maher will stay on as CEO until the end of its inaugural conference in Doha, Qatar, next month. According to TechCrunch, 12,000 attendees are already registered for the event with Trevor Noah booked as headline speaker.
