Paddy Cosgrave returns as CEO of Web Summit

Cosgrave resigned in October after a number of companies withdrew from Web Summit over his comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

Trade show organiser Paddy Cosgrave announced he has returned to the role of chief executive of his company Web Summit after he resigned in October 2023.

Mr Cosgrave made the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, where he added that he intends to make the event “smaller for our attendees” and “more intimate.” 

The controversial businessman resigned from his role with the largest tech conference in Europe last year after a number of headliners dropped out ahead of its event in Lisbon.

Meta and Amazon joined other tech heavyweights that pulled out of the event after Mr Cosgrave made comments about the Israel-Hamas war on X.

“I am resigning as CEO of Web Summit with immediate effect. Unfortunately, my personal comments have become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our startups and the people who attend. I sincerely apologise again for any hurt I have caused," said Mr Cosgrave at the time.

Mr Cosgrave reinstated himself after his replacement, Katherine Maher, stepped down from the role less than three months after she was appointed in October later to take up the top job at NPR, a US non-profit.

Mr Cosgrave remained an 81% shareholder while he stepped down from his role at the helm.

It is still unclear if Big Tech names will return to Web Summit this year. 

Today I’m returning as CEO of @WebSummit.

When I stepped back last year, it was the first time I had taken time off in 15 years. It gave me time to think about Web Summit, its history, why I started it on my own from my bedroom and what I wanted it to be.

I took the time to… pic.twitter.com/cDu33kS1tP

— Paddy Cosgrave (@paddycosgrave) April 8, 2024