Poppy Gustafsson has stepped down as CEO of Darktrace, the British cybersecurity firm she co-founded in 2013, as the company prepares for its £4.3 billion acquisition by US private equity firm Thoma Bravo. She will be succeeded by Jill Popelka, the current COO, who joined Darktrace earlier this year. Gustafsson expressed pride in the company's achievements and stated that the timing is right for Popelka to lead the transition into private ownership. Darktrace is awaiting final regulatory approval for the acquisition, which is expected to complete soon. The company, which utilizes AI to enhance cybersecurity, has faced scrutiny in the past regarding its financial backing from the late Mike Lynch, who died last month in a yacht accident. Gustafsson will remain involved in the company as a non-executive director post-acquisition.