Darktrace plc announced several changes to its executive management team as it seeks to bring in further leadership capabilities in key areas including human resources and corporate affairs. Two new executives have joined the Darktrace team. David Walden joins as Chief People Officer and Carolyn Esser joins as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.

David is responsible for global talent attraction, engagement and performance management. David has driven successful people strategies at multinational companies, including Capital One, AOL, T. Rowe Price, and Etsy. Carolyn is responsible for Darktrace's internal and external communications strategies.

Carolyn joins Darktrace from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where she was Deputy Director, Communications, Europe, Middle East and East Asia. Prior to that, Carolyn was Global Communications Director at Logica, the UK technology and business services company. Two long-standing executives are leaving after years of making significant contributions to Darktrace.

Emily Orton stepped down from her Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role in early July. Following Emily's departure, the marketing functions are being reorganised to report to Carolyn Esser and Nicole Eagan, Chief Strategy and AI Officer. Dave Palmer, Chief Product Officer (CPO), will be leaving Darktrace at the end of August to join long-standing Darktrace investor, 1011 Venture Capital, as a General Partner.

At his departure, Dave will join Darktrace's Advisory Council, where he will continue to advise the organisation on key industry trends. Dave will be replaced by Max Heinemeyer, currently Darktrace's VP of Cyber Innovation, who will join the executive management team as CPO.