He began calling the board members to tell them that he planned to step down as chief executive at their March 24 meeting.
The board of his fund asked him to step down as chief executive.
By then he had already announced his own intention to step down as chief executive.
The announcement came two days after the king said he would step down as chief executive and reinstate Parliament.
Donald Rubin also planned to step down as chief executive, although the couple were to continue to lead the museum's board.
Last month, the company announced that Ben Cohen would step down as chief executive, though he will remain chairman.
Mr. Wallace is to step down as chief executive today and leave the company's board on Friday.
Mr. Knight will step down as chief executive at the end of December.
He was chair of Elkem after stepping down as chief executive; from 1950 to 1959.
Mr. Harper's abrupt decision to step down as chief executive is effective immediately.