TECH CEO Andy Byron had gushed about hiring HR chief Kristin Cabot months before they were coat cuddling at a Coldplay gig.
Byron and Cabot were left red-faced as they flashed up on a big screen in front of thousands in each other’s arms.
Married Byron dived to hide behind a barrier, while Cabot covered her face with her hands and turned her back to the crowd.
And now it has emerged that the Astronomer CEO had raved about the HR chief when she was hired a mere few months before they were caught on camera.
Byron called Cabot a “proven leader” when she joined the company in November last year.
He enthused: “Kristin’s outstanding leadership skills and extensive knowledge in managing talent, boosting employee engagement, and expanding people strategies will be vital as we persist on our swift growth path.”
“She has demonstrated leadership acumen at several companies in their growth phases, and her dedication to cultivating diverse, cooperative work environments makes her an ideal match for Astronomer.”
The press statement further noted that Cabot “has consistently maintained and enhanced company culture in organizations undergoing fast-paced expansion”.
Calbot released a similarly enthusiastic comment, saying she was “energised in my conversations with Andy and the Astronomer leadership team about the opportunities that exist here”.
Her statement added: “I prefer to think of my role as people strategy versus traditional human resources, as the real magic happens when you align the people strategy with the business strategy.”
The pair were watching Coldplay perform in Boston, Massachusetts, on Wednesday night when frontman Chris Martin panned his ‘kiss cam’ onto them.
Yellow singer Martin exclaimed: “Oh look at these two.”
But, realising their grinning faces were being cast on a giant screen in front of thousands at Gillette Stadium, they both swiftly unlocked arms and shielded their faces.
As a chorus of laughter echoed around the jam-packed stadium, Martin said: “Oh what… either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.”
Cabot was recruited as software development firm Astronomer’s Chief People Officer just nine months ago in November.
On her LinkedIn, she boasts: “I lead by example and win trust with employees of all levels, from CEOs to managers to assistants.”
Cabot – who has the second surname Thornby in brackets on her page – adds: “I’m a passionate people leader known for building award-winning cultures from the ground up for fast-growing startups and multi-national corporations.”
According to Byron’s LinkedIn, he has been CEO of Astronomer – understood to be worth more than £1 billion – since July 2023.
The cringeworthy footage has gone viral on social media – having been shared thousands of times on X and TikTok.
Hundreds have accused Byron of cheating on his wife, and have shared support for her.
One social media user commented: “Sorry for the wife but glad they’re being exposed and embarrassed.”
Another wrote: “How utterly sad.”
A third said: “They are both incredibly stupid, sorry. Why would you go to a concert of all places if you are having an affair.”
Byron and Cabot do not appear to have addressed the affair accusations yet.
The Sun has approached Astronomer for comment.
