Web Summit appoints Katherine Maher as CEO in wake of Paddy Cosgrave resignation
Katherine Maher, Web Summit CEO. Picture: Web Summit
The Web Summit has announced that Katherine Maher will replace Paddy Cosgrave as their CEO.
Ms Maher was previously the chief executive of the Wikimedia Foundation — the non-profit organisation behind Wikipedia — and is the chair of Signal Messenger.
Mr Cosgrave had stepped down after comments he posted on social media site X about the Israel-Hamas war were met with a backlash from some in the industry.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Cosgrave said he was "shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders & governments, with the exception in particular of Ireland’s government, who for once are doing the right thing".
A number of high profile sponsors withdrew their support for the 2023 event in the aftermath of his posts.
In announcing his resignation last week, Mr Cosgrave said his comments were intended to urge Israel not to cross the boundaries of international law in its response to Hamas atrocities.
He said his comments have “become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our start-ups and the people who attend”.
He added: “I sincerely apologise again for any hurt I have caused.”
In an open letter announcing the new CEO appointment, Ms Maher made reference to the resignation of Mr Cosgrave.
She wrote: "If you’re reading this, though, you’re undoubtedly aware that in recent weeks Web Summit has been at the centre of the conversation, rather than the host.
"Its purpose was overshadowed by the personal comments of the event’s founder and former CEO, Paddy Cosgrave. Paddy has apologised and stepped down from Web Summit".
Ms Maher said that the Web Summit is now "entering its next phase".
"I am excited to announce that I am joining Web Summit as CEO, because I believe in Web Summit’s mission to connect people and ideas that change the world," she wrote. "Our immediate task at hand is returning the focus to what we do best: facilitating discussions among everyone involved in technological progress.
"Over the next few weeks our attention will be on delivering an event as compelling as any that have come before. In the months ahead we will take up the charge of setting up our global events for an even brighter future."
Ms Maher added: "In a present where technology is interwoven into every aspect of our lives, and in a future where it represents our greatest hope and our greatest disruptor, Web Summit’s role as a place for connection and conversation is more urgent than ever."
Web Summit 2023 takes place from November 13 to November 16 in Lisbon.
