A publicly traded company embroiled in a controversy over allegations involving its founder has dismissed its second chief executive in under six weeks.

Big Technologies will announce to the stock market on Thursday morning that Daren Morris, who was serving as interim chief executive, has been relieved of his duties just over a month after taking over from Sara Murray, the former CEO and founder.

The company, which offers electronic location tracking solutions to police, probation services, and the social care sector, has claimed that Murray either has or had undisclosed interests in four offshore entities that together own more than 17 percent of Big Technologies. These companies reportedly accrued nearly £113 million during Big’s initial public offering in 2021.

Sources indicate that the board informed Morris of his termination on Wednesday morning, following discussions with certain minority shareholders.

Ian Johnson, a seasoned executive in the life sciences sector, is the leading candidate to take over as CEO.

Johnson recently joined the company’s board last month after discussions with Harwood Capital, which noted that it had consulted with “certain shareholders who collectively possess a significant interest in the company.”

His appointment as a non-executive was part of these negotiations, during which he supplied a “letter of comfort” confirming he had never interacted with Sara Murray and had no ties to her or the contested offshore companies.

Big Technologies, which was valued at £1 billion at one point, has initiated legal action against Murray in the High Court, seeking damages, compensation, and asset recovery. The firm has accused Murray of “failing to disclose her interests and relationships” with offshore companies prior to its public offering.

There are concerns within Big that regulations set by the Takeover Panel may have been violated and that incorrect information may have been conveyed to investors and the market at the time of the IPO.

Morris originally joined Big’s board in 2021 as chief financial officer to assist in preparations for the company’s listing on London’s junior AIM market, and he also served as company secretary. There are no allegations of misconduct against Morris.

The company has also alleged that Murray “provided false information to the company and its legal representatives,” potentially affecting High Court proceedings, concerning her relationships with the offshore entities in a lawsuit involving a group of shareholders who claimed she used these offshore companies to unjustly exclude them from the business before the company went public.

A spokesperson for Big Technologies declined to comment, and Morris also chose not to provide any statements.

Murray has stated in the past that she “always adhered to legal counsel in my interactions with the company” and has expressed confidence that her position will ultimately be validated. She is reportedly seeking legal advice on her “various remedies,” including potential actions against the directors personally.