Fairphone CEO Steps Down Ahead of Rumored Sustainable Smartphone Update

Fairphone CEO Eva Gouwens (pictured above) is stepping down from the sustainable smartphone maker. Gouwens announced her decision in a blog.

Fairphone, founded in 2013, is based in Amsterdam, North Holland. The company develops a smarthphone that runs Google Android. Fairphone strives to design, deliver and support the phone using sustainable technologies and green business practices. The company's partner program is listed in our Sustainable Partner Programs database.

Although Gouwens expressed confidence in the company and its financial footing, her departure comes at a key time: Recent media reports suggested that Fairphone was preparing to release version 5.0 of its sustainable smartphone. The company has not commented on those product launch reports.

In her blog, Gouwens noted that Fairphone secured a "sizable investment to steer Fairphone confidently into the future. Also, the existing management team -- including CFO Noud Tillemans, Chief Impact Officer Monique Lempers, CTO Xavier Blanvillain, and Commercial Director Corné le Clerq -- will lead Fairphone "through the transition as we select and appoint my successor."

The company did not disclose expected timing for the new CEO appointment.