Cambridge Analytica’s acting Chief Executive Alex Tayler told the company’s leadership Wednesday that Julian Wheatland, the chairman of Cambridge Analytica’s British affiliate, would take over as the company’s next chief executive, according to people familiar with the matter.

Alexander Nix, the former CEO who was suspended last month following the release of a video that depicted him touting campaign tactics such as entrapping political opponents with bribes and sex, has officially resigned from his position, according to a person close to the company.

Mr. Tayler, who was appointed acting CEO about three weeks ago, on Wednesday returned to his previous role as the company’s chief data officer, the company said in a statement. In that role, he will “focus on the various technical investigations and inquiries,” the statement said.

The company didn’t announce a new CEO in that statement. When Mr. Tayler told employees Wednesday he was stepping down, he said the company didn’t yet have a replacement for him, according to another person familiar with the matter.

A company spokesman said any discussion of Mr. Wheatland’s new role was “speculation” and denied that Mr. Nix had submitted his resignation, saying “the independent inquiring is ongoing.”