Debbie Weinstein has been appointed as Google’s president across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
But who is the figure set to lead the tech giant’s 29,000 employees across the region?
Weinstein, who Google says will focus on AI-powered growth for users, businesses and governments, returned to the UK last year as VP of Google and MD of Google UK & Ireland after six years working from its Bay Area headquarters.
During her time on the US West Coast she served as VP global advertising solutions for Google and YouTube.
“I’ve called London ‘home’ for much of my life – beginning as a child in the 1980s, long before anyone even had dial-up internet, when it was the Sony Walkman that enabled music to go ‘mobile’,” Weinstein said upon her return to these shores.
“I joined the company in 2014, just after Deepmind came into the Google family – an important milestone in our pivot to becoming an AI-first organisation.”
Weinstein joined Google from Unilever, having spent five years as VP global media at the consumer goods giant.
Before Unilever she founded and served as CEO of Swingset Kitchens, a startup which addressed the need for expanded variety within the rapidly growing healthy kids food market. She also held several roles at American media giant Viacom.
Weinstein, who began her career in the 90s as a financial analyst for mergers & acquisitions at Goldman Sachs, has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Brown University.
“Since joining Google I’ve witnessed so many bold, innovative leaps in our work, from the launch of Google Lens in 2017 to the company ushering in our Gemini Era in 2023,” Weinstein wrote on LinkedIn today.
“Even in the last week we’ve seen remarkable developments in Google’s AI — from Gemini 2.0, our most capable model yet, to our newest quantum chip, Willow.
“This moment is a really exciting one for us — as we continue to drive remarkable breakthroughs in AI to make sure *everyone* across our region and the world will benefit from this technology. And my role in this?
“To focus on helping users, businesses, partners and Governments in countries across the region unlock the significant untapped potential of AI.
“In EMEA, the AI opportunity is HUGE. A recent report by Implement Consulting Group, commissioned by Google, for instance, estimated that generative AI could add €1.2-1.4 trillion to the European Union’s GDP or 8% in ten years.
“And to the 29,000+ people working for Google in EMEA — over 56 offices and across 35 countries — it’s a true honor to be leading this diverse region. I can’t wait to see what we’ll create together.”
She replaces Matt Brittin, who announced his departure earlier this year after a decade in the role.