> Ideally tell them you should be CTO. This. Ask them all individually why they think the CTO position should exist, and what the role would entail, and what

> Ideally tell them you should be CTO. This. Ask them all individually why they think the CTO position should exist, and what the role would entail, and what kind of person would be best suited for this position. You are all creating a new position at your company, do it properly. After you have this information, find out why he thinks he is better suited for the role than you. From what you have said, you are a more suitable candidate. Don't just let him invent a title for himself. Create the role and fill it with the most suitable person.