Uber boss Travis Kalanick has resigned as chief executive after pressure from shareholders.
Mr Kalanick will remain on the board of the firm, however, during what he says is a “difficult time” for him.
His resignation comes after a review of practices at the firm and scandals including complaints of sexual harassment.
Last week he said he was taking an indefinite leave of absence, after a number of controversies at the firm.
‘Bold decision’
Five major Uber investors demanded Mr Kalanick’s immediate resignation in a letter on Tuesday, the New York Times said.
Mr. Kalanick reportedly 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 with another fight.”
Uber’s board said in a statement: “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.”
Last week Mr Kalanick took an indefinite leave of absence from the firm as part of an effort to create “Uber 2.0”.
His leave also came after the sudden death of his mother in a boating accident.
Scandals
The ride-hailing company has had a series of recent controversies, including the departure of other high-level executives.
Eric Alexander, the former head of Uber’s Asia-Pacific business, left after a report that he had obtained the medical records of a woman who was raped by an Uber driver in 2014.
Mr Alexander reportedly shared them with Mr Kalanick, senior vice-president Emil Michael and others.
Mr Alexander was fired earlier this month, and Mr Michael later left Uber.
Board member David Bonderman made a sexist remark at a meeting about workplace practice recommendations last week and then resigned as a director.
This month Uber said it had fired more than 20 staff and had taken action against others following a review of more than 200 HR complaints that included harassment and bullying.
There has also been a lawsuit from Google’s parent company, Alphabet, over alleged theft of trade secrets related to driverless cars.
In February Uber said it was investigating “abhorrent” sexual harrassment claims made by former Uber engineer Susan Fowler.
Source: BBC
