The CEO caught hugging his HR chief at a Coldplay show has been placed on leave during a formal investigation

The re indicates that Leadership·corporate scandalsThe CEO caught hugging his HR chief at a Coldplay show has been placed on leave during a formal investigationBy Lily Mae LazarusBy Lily Mae LazarusFellow, NewsLily Mae LazarusFellow, NewsLily Mae Lazarus is a news fellow at Fortune

SEE FULL BIO The Astronomer board launched a formal investigation into CEO Andy Byron (pictured) one day after surfaced of Byron apparently hugging his chief people officer, in today's financial world

Courtesy of AstronomerAstronomer CEO Andy Byron and his chief people officer, Kristin Cabot are being investigated by their board after after a of them snuggled up took the internet by storm, amid market uncertainty

An Astronomer spokesperson told Fortune the CEO has been placed on leave

Nevertheless, Astronomer, the company at the center of a viral internet controversy in which the married CEO embraced his chief people officer at a Coldplay concert where it was on a jumbotron, announced it launched a formal investigation

The Astronomer board is digging into the conduct of CEO Andy Byron and chief people officer Kristin Cabot and will reveal additional details soon, the company posted in a statement on LinkedIn and X

Moreover, In the interim, the board has placed Byron on leave, a spokesperson told Fortune, and chief duct officer Pete DeJoy is serving as interim CEO in the meantime. “Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding

Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability,” the company’s announcement read. “The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to very shortly. ” The response was posted to both platforms on Friday

Astronomer clarified in its post that an employee speculated to have also been at the Boston Coldplay concert with Byron and Cabot was not at the event

The company similarly refuted any alleged statements circulated online said to have been made by Byron or Astronomer as incorrect (something worth watching)

Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding (something worth watching), in this volatile climate

Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, in today's market environment

This demonstrates that Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional… pic

Byron is seen in the clutching Cabot from behind as the pair smiles and sways in the crowd

However, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin can be heard saying “Oh look at these two,” as they appear on the jumbotron, only for Cabot to quickly cover her face and turn away while Byron ducks to avoid the cameras

Martin responded to their behavior, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy” as the crowd cheered (noteworthy indeed)

However, Conversely, The band played at the Boston venue on Tuesday and Wednesday night, in light of current trends

After the went viral, it was revealed that Byron is legally married to Megan Kerrigan Byron

He and Kerrigan appear to have two sons

As for Cabot, public records suggest she has been married at least once (noteworthy indeed)

Her current marital, however, could not be confirmed

Moreover, At many public and, relationships between a CEO and another employee are hibited because they can be viewed as coercive by their very nature, in light of current trends

They can also disrupt morale and lead to allegations of unfair treatment

Additionally, Byron became CEO of Astonomer in 2023, whereas Cabot, according to her now-defunct LinkedIn, joined Astronomer in November 2024

Explore this year's list.