Paddy Cosgrave returns as Web Summit chief executive

James Cox

Paddy Cosgrave is back at the helm of Web Summit, six months after he resigned following backlash over his comments on the Israel-Hamas war.

The controversial businessman has returned to the chief executive role he stood down from last year after the comments on X, formerly Twitter.

He announced his return to the position in a tweet on Monday morning.

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

Mr Cosgrave said stepping down was the first time in 15 years that he had taken time off, adding that it allowed him to reconnect with old Web Summit friends and listen to what they wanted.

Mr Cosgrave's decision to step aside came after his comments led to headliners dropping out of Web Summit's event in Lisbon, before tech giants, including Meta and Amazon, followed suit.

His successor, Katherine Maher, stood down three months after taking the job in order to start a new role with US non-profit NPR.

Mr Cosgrave owns a majority stake in Web Summit, which organises one of the world’s largest tech conferences every year.

The event boasts around 70,000 attendees, with high-profile speakers from tech and politics.