Darktrace plc, a renowned player in the field of cybersecurity AI, recently made headlines as Poppy Gustafsson stepped down from her role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In her place, Jill Popelka, the current Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Darktrace, has been appointed as the new CEO of the company. This announcement marks a significant change in leadership within the organization.
Jill Popelka brings with her over two decades of experience in driving operational excellence and enhancing teams, systems, and processes for rapidly growing businesses. Her impressive career includes key leadership positions at top global technology firms such as Accenture, Snap Inc, and SAP SuccessFactors, where she served as President. Jill initially joined Darktrace as a Non-Executive Director in January 2024, before assuming her current role as COO on June 1, 2024.
The outgoing CEO, Poppy Gustafsson, expressed her pride in the accomplishments of Darktrace during her tenure, stating that revolutionizing the cybersecurity market and providing AI-powered solutions to nearly 10,000 customers worldwide has been a rewarding challenge. She emphasized the personal and professional commitment required for such endeavors and highlighted the forthcoming acquisition of Darktrace by Thoma Bravo as a pivotal moment for the company. Poppy expressed her confidence in Jill’s ability to lead Darktrace into its next phase of growth and development.
Gordon Hurst, Chairman of Darktrace, commended Poppy for her exceptional leadership and credited her with transforming the company into a global cybersecurity powerhouse. He acknowledged the significant value created for shareholders under Poppy’s guidance and praised her role in the acquisition by Thoma Bravo. Additionally, he expressed his confidence in Jill’s capabilities and welcomed her appointment as the new CEO, citing her sector experience, leadership skills, and enthusiasm for the future of Darktrace.
Jill Popelka conveyed her excitement about leading Darktrace into the next stage of its journey, recognizing the company’s vast potential and critical role in addressing cybersecurity challenges worldwide. She lauded the company’s cutting-edge technology, extensive customer base, and talented workforce, positioning Darktrace as a leader in the evolving cybersecurity landscape. Jill expressed her commitment to collaborating with the Darktrace team to capitalize on future opportunities and drive the company’s growth and innovation.
Andrew Almeida, Partner at Thoma Bravo, expressed full support for the CEO succession plan and endorsed Jill as the ideal leader to build on Darktrace’s legacy. He highlighted her experience in scaling high-growth businesses, customer-centric approach, and commitment to fostering a purpose-driven company culture. Thoma Bravo looks forward to partnering with Jill and the Darktrace team to enhance the company’s position as a vital cybersecurity platform in today’s dynamic threat environment.
The acquisition of Darktrace by Thoma Bravo is progressing smoothly, with all necessary approvals in place except for one foreign regulatory clearance expected by September 28, 2024. Following the receipt of this final approval, Darktrace will seek the UK court’s sanction for the transaction, with the closing anticipated shortly thereafter. This announcement complies with the disclosure requirements regarding Jill Popelka’s appointment as CEO, with no additional disclosures needed under the regulations.
Overall, the leadership transition at Darktrace marks a significant milestone for the company as it prepares to embark on a new chapter under Jill Popelka’s guidance. With her extensive experience and strategic vision, Jill is poised to lead Darktrace towards continued success and innovation in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. The company’s future looks promising as it enters this next phase of growth and development.