On the morning of April 18, 2021, the software development platform Airtable announced that their Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Chief People Officer (CPO), and Chief Product Officer (CPO) have all been terminated without further explanation.
The CRO, Brian Fox, had only been with the company since 2020, and was in charge of the company’s worldwide revenue strategy, which included accelerating the company’s direct sales efforts, managing the company’s indirect sales motion, and building out the company’s go-to-market strategy. The CPO, Becca Lam, was in charge of the company’s human resources, culture, and engagement initiatives, while the CPO, Kalin Saunders, oversaw product design, development, and operations.
The abrupt departure of these three high-level executives has caught the software and tech industries off guard, sparking speculation from analysts and industry professionals alike. The most common theory is that the three executives’ departure was a part of an internal restructuring to make room for incoming high-level executives or new division heads. Such an event is not uncommon for rapidly expanding companies, especially those that have recently become public.
The most pressing question for Airtable and its investors is who will take over now that these three executives have been terminated. Airtable has yet to announce any plans to fill the roles of the departed executives; however, they did release the following statement: “We are confident in our ability to transition responsibilities and move forward in a way that honors our mission and our customers.” As such, it appears that Airtable is looking internally to restructure and fill vacant positions, rather than appoint new executives.
Regardless, the departure of Airtable’s CRO, CPO, and CPO has sent shock waves through the tech industry. Investors and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on the company to see how they will restructure and fill these three key positions. It remains to be seen whether or not the company can adjust quickly enough to capitalize on the opportunities that come with having new leadership at the helm. Until then, investors and Airtable customers alike will be keeping a watchful eye.