New Web Summit chief Katherine Maher expects boycotting tech companies to return
Katherine Maher. Picture: Zed Jameson/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Katherine Maher, the new chief of the Web Summit, said she expects many of the big tech companies that boycotted the Lisbon trade show this year may likely return in the future.
Ms Maher, who was talking at a press conference in Lisbon, however, did not answer specific questions on the future ownership of the company.
It comes after a row broke out this month following remarks made by Paddy Cosgrave, the leading shareholder of the Web Summit, on the Hamas-Israeli war that led to him resigning as chief executive.
Ms Maher this week had said the remarks by Mr Cosgrave were “outspoken” and that his behaviour had significantly hit the company when many large tech firms backed out of the event. Mr Cosgrave is no longer at the helm, but still owns a stake of 81% in the company.
Ms Maher was appointed to the top job after Mr Cosgrave resigned from the position following a controversy over his posting on the Hamas-Israeli war on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Prior to her new role with the Web Summit, Ms Maher had worked as Wikimedia chief executive. She has a degree from New York University in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.
Ms Maher is also on the US State Department's Foreign Affairs Policy Board.
She also answered questions about any links she may have had with the company before joining as chief executive.
Ms Maher said she had met Mr Cosgrave twice before her appointment.
It was the first time Mr Cosgrave had not attended a Web Summit since its inception.
