Paddy Cosgrave is returning as the chief executive officer of Web Summit.
It follows his high-profile resignation last October after he posted comments on social media about the Israel-Hamas war.
Mr Cosgrave said at the time that he was "shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders and governments”.
"War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are," he added.
Paddy Cosgrave at a press conference at Web Summit HQ in Dublin, 1-10-18. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ieCompanies like Google, Meta and Amazon faced pressure to pull out of Web Summit following his comments.
Mr Cosgrave subsequently issued an apology and said he “unreservedly condemns Hamas’... monstrous October 7 attack” and that he supported Israel’s right to defend itself.
He stepped down as Web Summit CEO just over a week later.
In a post on X this morning, Mr Cosgrave confirmed his reinstatement, adding that he is "incredibly excited for the future with loads more to share".
Today I’m returning as CEO of @WebSummit.
When I stepped back last year, it was the first time I had taken time off in 15 years. It gave me time to think about Web Summit, its history, why I started it on my own from my bedroom and what I wanted it to be.
I took the time to… pic.twitter.com/cDu33kS1tP— Paddy Cosgrave (@paddycosgrave) April 8, 2024
"When I stepped back last year, it was the first time I had taken time off in 15 years. It gave me time to think about Web Summit, its history, why I started it on my own from my bedroom and what I wanted it to be," he wrote.
"I took the time to reconnect with old Web Summit friends and I listened to what they had to say and what they wanted from Web Summit.
"Some incredible tech advancements, relationships, partnerships, and companies have grown from our events and I want to continue building on this.
"If anything I want to supercharge this mission even further to build even stronger communities within Web Summit."
He added that as Web Summit becomes bigger the "aim should be to make it smaller for our attendees. More intimate".
Web Summit is attended by some 70,000 people from over 160 countries.
It has been held in the Portuguese capital Lisbon since 2016.
