Due to overwhelming pressure from shareholders over scandals that hit the firm, Uber boss Travis Kalanick has resigned as chief executive of the car riding company.
The resignation comes following a review of the company’s practices and the scandals including sexual harassment complaints. It was also announced last week that Kalanick was just taking an indefinite leave of absence, but that has evolved into a full resignation now.
Five major Uber investors demanded no less than Kalanick’s immediate resignation in a letter on Tuesday. Kalanick will, however, remain on the firm’s board.
Kalanick said he was stepping out because he loves the company. He said: ”I love Uber more than anything in the world and at this difficult moment in my personal life I have accepted the investors’ request to step aside so that Uber can go back to building rather than be distracted by another fight.”
The Uber board responded with: “Travis has always put Uber first. This is a bold decision and a sign of his devotion and love for Uber. By stepping away, he’s taking the time to heal from his personal tragedy while giving the company room to fully embrace this new chapter in Uber’s history. We look forward to continuing to serve with him on the board.”
The tragedy the board was referring to involves the unexpected death of Kalanick’s mother in a boating accident.
Uber has been contending with several controversies of late including the departure of other high-level executives including Eric Alexander, the former head of Uber’s Asia-Pacific business. Alexander was fired earlier this month following a report that he got the medical records of a woman who was raped by an Uber driver in 2014 and shared the information with Kalanick and other top executives.
This month alone, Uber has reported the firing of more than 20 staff and said it has taken necessary action against others after a review of more than 200 HR complaints that included harassment and bullying.
Uber is also facing a lawsuit from Google’s parent company, Alphabet, over alleged theft of trade secrets about driverless cars.
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Uh oh, someone upset (((them))).