Andy Byron, the chief executive of the US tech company Astronomer, has resigned following a viral incident at a Coldplay concert where he was seen embracing his female colleague, Kristin Cabot. The moment was captured on a large screen at the venue in Foxborough, Massachusetts, leaving both individuals trying to quickly hide from the camera.
In an official statement, Astronomer confirmed Byron's resignation was accepted by the Board of Directors. “As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,” the statement read.
The video clip, which attracted millions of views, showcased Byron and Cabot swaying to the music before they suddenly ducked. As the crowd reacted, Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin, humorously remarked, "Either they're having an affair, or they're just very shy."
The company, based in New York, wasted no time in addressing the situation; shortly after the clip went viral, it announced a suspension for Byron and initiated an internal investigation into the nature of the relationship between the two. In the interim, the company has appointed its chief product officer as the acting CEO while a search for a new leader takes place.
