---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001070235-23-000143"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "BB"
cik: "0001070235"
company_name: "BLACKBERRY Ltd"
filed_at: "2023-11-02T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-08T23:18:19.925343+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# BlackBerry CEO John Chen to retire Nov 4; Dick Lynch named interim CEO

## Summary
- John Chen (Executive Chair & CEO) retires effective Nov 4, 2023; retirement is not due to any disagreement with the company.
- Richard (Dick) Lynch appointed Board Chair and Interim CEO; Lynch has been a director since 2013.
- Lynch previously served as CTO of Verizon Communications and Verizon Wireless.
- No separate compensatory arrangement for Lynch beyond his existing board compensation.
- Company will conduct a search for a permanent CEO.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001070235-23-000143
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: BB
- cik: 0001070235
- company_name: BLACKBERRY Ltd
- filed_at: 2023-11-02T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1070235/000107023523000143/0001070235-23-000143-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1070235/000107023523000143/bbry-20231030.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001070235-23-000143
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001070235-23-000143.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001070235-23-000143.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  John Chen departed as Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer at BLACKBERRY Ltd.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On October 30, 2023, the Company announced that John Chen, Executive Chair of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) and Chief Executive Officer of BlackBerry Limited (the “Company”), will retire from his roles at the Company effective November 4, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1070235/000107023523000143/0001070235-23-000143-index.htm
- Executive change
  Richard (Dick) Lynch was appointed as Chair of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer at BLACKBERRY Ltd.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chair of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer
  source text: the Company announced that Richard (Dick) Lynch, 75, will succeed Mr. Chen as Chair of the Board and will also serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer while BlackBerry completes its search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1070235/000107023523000143/0001070235-23-000143-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.