Web Summit has announced that its CEO Katherine Maher is to step down and take up a new role as CEO of National Public Radio (NPR) in the United States.
Ms Maher was appointed as Web Summit chief executive in late October 2023, to replace co-founder of the company Paddy Cosgrave.
It followed the decision by Mr Cosgrave to resign amid a backlash over comments he made about the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Ms Maher was previously chief executive of Wikipedia for five years.
Web Summit said she will stay on as CEO until 1 March and will remain as a non-executive Chair of the board of directors.
“I have absolutely loved leading the Web Summit team,” Ms Maher said.
“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 as CEO, I am thrilled to contribute in a different way as Chair, continuing to work with the executive team through 2024 and beyond,” she added.
Web Summit said its board has already begun the search for a new chief executive to lead the staff of 300 people from March onwards.
