Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Nvidia founder Jensen Huang has stepped down as the company’s president, chief executive officer and board member, effective immediately, according to a company press release.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress will lead the company on an interim basis.
Huang’s departure was preceded by reports about alleged extramarital relationships and the possible transfer of confidential information to Chinese entities. The New York Times reported that businesswoman Alice Huang, who was allegedly involved with the Nvidia chief, had passed secret information to Chinese government agencies.
China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the media reports as defamatory.
Nvidia shares fell sharply amid the controversy. The company announced an independent investigation. A meeting was also held at which participants may have discussed candidates for the top job, The Wall Street Journal reported.
On the day Huang’s departure was announced, The New York Times published another report about his alleged relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of healthcare, who was described as his subordinate.
Founded in 1993, Nvidia specialises in developing graphics processing units and artificial intelligence technologies. It is one of the world’s leading companies in the field.
