This is simply not the case: he did not step down from being the chair and subject himself to being ousted. He himself is still on the board, and he chose the new COB. Why? Because Anavex grew to the point where good governance called for diversifying roles. Good execs WANT a BOD and want a smart, capable COB. The chair is the SERVANT of the board, not an executive.
All is well, IMO, in Anavex-land.