Katherine
Maher, the former boss of Wikipedia, has been appointed
as CEO of Web Summit, Europe’s biggest technology conference.
She replaces founder and CEO Paddy Cosgrove, who stepped down
two weeks ago after comments he made about the Israel-Hamas conflict caused an
online backlash with household-name companies pledging to boycott the event.
In a blog post on the company website Maher writes: “Today
Web Summit is 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. 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.
“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 now then ever.”
Founded
in 2009 by Cosgrave, David Kelly, and Daire Hickey, Web Summit was originally
held in Dublin, Ireland, until 2016 when it moved permanently to Lisbon.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
