Poppy Gustafsson, co-founder and CEO of British cybersecurity firm Darktrace, has stepped down as the company prepares for its £4.3 billion acquisition by US private equity firm Thoma Bravo. Gustafsson, who has been with Darktrace since its inception in 2013, announced her departure on LinkedIn and will be succeeded by COO Jill Popelka, who joined the firm earlier this year. Under Gustafsson's leadership, Darktrace went public in 2021 and has grown significantly, now serving close to 10,000 customers worldwide. The transition comes as Darktrace aims to navigate the challenges of private ownership following its delisting from the London Stock Exchange. Gustafsson expressed pride in the company's achievements, stating it has been a significant part of her identity for over a decade. The finalization of the acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of September 2024, pending regulatory approval.