US owner seeks new CEO for AI cyber security company Darktrace

Incumbent Jill Popelka – installed not long after Poppy Gustafson left – has stepped down and been temporarily replaced by chair Charles Goodman while the firm seeks a new Chief Executive.

Goodman has a 30-year career in the software industry, including as COO and CEO of a number of fast-growing businesses. More recently, he has served as Chairman of several businesses, including Coupa and Proofpoint.

Thoma Bravo, headquartered in Chicago, is a software investment specialist of high repute. Goodman said Popelka had “led a significant transformation of Darktrace into a more mature, established software business, and we are grateful that she will remain with us in an advisory capacity.”

He added: “Darktrace is a special company with exceptional people and we are committed to finding an excellent new leader for the business, who has deep experience in leading and scaling Software-as-a-Service businesses.”

Popelka joined Darktrace in January 2024 as a Non-Executive Director on the Darktrace plc Board and then served as Chief Operating Officer. She was appointed Chief Executive Officer in September 2024. Popelka will remain an adviser during the transition.

She says: “It has been a privilege, both personally and professionally, to lead this great business and I am proud of our transformation program that has established stronger operational foundations for Darktrace, which can now be leveraged for growth.”

Goodman added: “Our innovative AI cybersecurity products are industry-leading, helping companies to grapple with the radically expanding threat of cyberattack from ambitious technology adoption and an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. Darktrace continues to be a company with strong growth potential, and our focus now needs to be on re-accelerating that growth, in line with our existing strategy.”

In mid-January, Darktrace appointed Terry Doyle as Chief Information Officer to lead the enterprise IT function, strengthening the company’s technology and data infrastructure and driving continued operational excellence.

Doyle will establish and lead a newly consolidated enterprise IT and data function, charged with bringing together technology services across the business into a cohesive operating model. He will be responsible for building enterprise-scale technology systems and data capabilities that enable the business to operate with greater consistency and confidence as it scales. Doyle will be based in Darktrace’s London office, reporting to Suman Raju, Chief Financial Officer.

Previously, Doyle held senior CIO roles at RWS, the world’s leading provider of technology-enabled language, content management and intellectual property services, and at GroupM, WPP’s global media investment arm. Across these roles, he led complex global and regional transformation programs supporting thousands of users and multi-million-dollar technology budgets.

Doyle’s appointment further strengthens Darktrace’s leadership team following a series of senior executive hires over the past year, including Suman Raju as Chief Financial Officer, Hein Hellemons as Chief Revenue Officer, and Bryce Cote as Chief Customer Officer. Together, these additions underscore Darktrace’s continued investment in experienced leadership to support operational scale, deepen customer value, and deliver sustainable long-term growth, the company said.

Darktrace’s platform and services are supported by over 2,300 employees around the world who protect nearly 10,000 customers across all major industries.