Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick on Friday said he had appointed two new directors, a surprise move that publicly reignited a board battle over the role of the ousted former chief executive.
Uber investors are divided over whether Kalanick, who was pressured to step down as CEO earlier this year in the wake of several company scandals, should be on the board and whether he can name two other directors.
The company and new chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi are scrambling to portray Uber as a reformed company that is responding to concerns including sexual harassment claims and a bribery probe.
Kalanick, still one of the largest shareholders, said in a statement he had appointed former Xerox boss Ursula Burns and former Merrill Lynch chief executive John Thain as directors.
"I am appointing these seats now in light of a recent board proposal to dramatically restructure the board and significantly alter the company's voting rights," Kalanick said.
"It is therefore essential that the full board be in place for proper deliberation to occur, especially with such experienced board members as Ursula and John," he said.
The appointments were a "complete surprise" to Uber and its board, the company said in a statement.
"That is precisely why we are working to put in place world-class governance to ensure that we are building a company every employee and shareholder can be proud of," it added.
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