Skillsoft (NYSE: SKIL) has appointed Matthew J. Cushing as its Chief Legal Officer, effective Monday, August 3, 2026. The appointment marks the completion of a planned transition to permanent leadership for the company’s legal function, replacing Scott Semel, who served as interim Chief Legal Officer. Cushing will lead Skillsoft’s global legal organization and report directly to Chief Executive Officer Ron Hovsepian.

The hiring brings three decades of experience in legal, governance, commercial strategy, and business transformation to the AI-native skills management platform. CEO Ron Hovsepian stated that Cushing’s firsthand experience in helping companies navigate complex business transitions while maintaining strong governance and operational discipline will be an asset as Skillsoft continues executing its strategy and driving growth.

Executive Background

Before joining Skillsoft, Cushing held multiple executive leadership roles at Pegasystems for nearly nine years. He served as General Counsel (Chief Legal Officer) and Chief Commercial Officer, leading the global legal function during Pegasystems’ transition to a cloud-first subscription business and a period of significant Annual Contract Value (ACV) growth.

Earlier in his career, Cushing was Vice President and General Counsel of EnerNOC, where he helped lead the company’s successful U.S. Supreme Court litigation in FERC v. EPSA. He also served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Acme Packet, leading the legal execution of Oracle Corporation’s $2.1 billion acquisition of the company. Prior to these roles, he spent 17 years at Bingham McCutchen LLP (now Morgan Lewis), including more than a decade as a partner in the firm’s corporate practice.

Leadership Transition

Cushing’s appointment concludes the interim period led by Scott Semel. Hovsepian expressed gratitude for Semel’s leadership and contributions during the transition.

Cushing cited Skillsoft’s clear vision, strong leadership team, and significant opportunities ahead as key factors in his decision to join. He emphasized his intent to contribute to the company’s continued growth and create long-term value for shareholders.

What This Means for Governance

The appointment strengthens Skillsoft’s executive leadership team with a veteran public company executive experienced in both legal compliance and commercial strategy. By integrating legal oversight with commercial acumen—reflected in Cushing’s prior dual role at Pegasystems—Skillsoft aims to align its governance framework more closely with its operational and growth objectives. This structural alignment is particularly relevant as the company advances its AI-native platform strategy and manages workforce capability transformations for its clients.

Skillsoft, a leading AI-native skills management platform, announced that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has accepted its business plan to regain compliance with NYSE continued listing standard 802.01B. This acceptance provides the company with a specific timeline to address the market capitalization and stockholders' equity deficiencies that had placed its listing status at risk.

"We are pleased that the NYSE has accepted our plan to regain compliance with its continued listing standards," said Ron Hovsepian, Chief Executive Officer. "With continued support and oversight of our board of directors, we remain focused on executing our strategy, strengthening operating performance, and positioning Skillsoft to deliver long-term value for our stockholders."

The company received a notice from the NYSE on March 26, 2026, stating it was not in compliance with listing standard 802.01B. At that time, Skillsoft's average global market capitalization over a consecutive 30 trading-day period was less than $50 million, and its stockholders’ equity was also less than $50 million.

Following a review of the compliance plan and information submitted by the company, the NYSE granted an extension. Skillsoft now has until September 26, 2027, to regain compliance with the continued listing standards. The company’s common stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE during this period, provided it adheres to other continued listing standards.

As part of the agreement, Skillsoft will be subject to quarterly monitoring by the NYSE to ensure compliance with the submitted plan. If the company fails to comply with the plan or does not meet the continued listing standards by the end of the cure period, the NYSE will initiate prompt suspension and delisting procedures.

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