Ex-Uber boss Kalanick left ‘baffled’ as he is sued by investor over board jobs

Former Uber boss Travis Kalanick claims he is “baffled” by the “hostile actions” of the investors suing him.

Benchmark Capital filed a lawsuit last week against Kalanick for dragging his feet on handing over control of two vacant board seats and delaying the appointment of independent directors.

Kalanick founded the cabs-hailing giant but was ousted as chief executive in June amid allegations of widespread sexism at the company.

He stayed on as a director to lead the search for a new boss and kept control of the two other board positions.

“Like many shareholders, I am disappointed and baffled by Benchmark’s hostile actions, which clearly are not in the best interests of Uber and its employees on whose behalf they claim to be acting,” Kalanick said.

“Since 2009, building Uber into a great company has been my passion and obsession.

“I continue to work tirelessly with the board to identify and hire the best CEO to guide Uber into its next phase of growth and ensure its continued success.”

Benchmark suggested in an open letter to Uber employees last night it should have acted sooner.

The venture-capital firm also criticised the company for having left the key chief financial officer role vacant for two years.

Kalanick said the lawsuit is “without merit and riddled with lies and false allegations” and has reportedly begun his legal defence.