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Cybersecurity firm Darktrace (LSE:DARK) announced on Friday that Poppy Gustafsson is stepping down from her role as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Jill Popelka, who is currently serving as chief operating officer, will take over as CEO and join the board of directors.
Gustafsson, who has been with Darktrace for over a decade, will continue to contribute to the company as a non-executive director following the completion of Darktrace’s acquisition by private equity firm Thoma Bravo.
The board highlighted Popelka’s extensive leadership background, noting her over 20 years of experience with prominent technology companies such as Accenture, Snap, and SAP SuccessFactors. Popelka joined Darktrace in January as a non-executive director and was appointed COO in June.
Reflecting on her tenure as CEO, Gustafsson expressed pride in the company’s achievements, including the deployment of its AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to nearly 10,000 customers globally. She remarked, “This challenge has required tremendous personal and professional commitment. With the acquisition of Darktrace by Thoma Bravo nearing completion and having identified an excellent successor in Jill, now is the right time to hand over the reins so Jill can lead Darktrace through its transition into private ownership and beyond.”
Chairman Gordon Hurst commended Gustafsson for her significant contributions to the company’s success and welcomed Popelka into her new role. Hurst stated, “Jill is a proven and highly regarded leader in global technology businesses who has contributed immensely to the Board and more recently in her role as COO. With Poppy stepping down, the board has implemented its CEO succession plan and is delighted that Jill has accepted the role of CEO. She possesses deep sector experience, exceptional leadership skills, and the energy and passion necessary to guide Darktrace into its next phase.”
At 0836 BST, shares in Darktrace saw a slight increase of 0.03%, trading at 583.6p.
