Google board member and director at Apple Inc, Arthur Levinson, has today stepped down from his position at Google, making him the second executive with both Google and Apple connections to make such a move.
This resignation, effective immediately, follows the exit of Google CEO and chairman Eric Schmidt from his position on the board of computer manufacturer Apple back in August.
In an official statement issued by Google this morning, Schmidt said that Levinson, who has served on the board since April 2004, had been a key part of Google’s success and referred to him as “a good friend and valued colleague”.
“Art has been a key part of Google’s success these past five years, offering unvarnished advice and vital counsel on every big issue and opportunity Google has faced,” said Schmidt.
“Though he leaves as a member of our board, Art will always have a special place at Google.”
No specific reason had been put forward for Levinson’s departure, however, the move follows an inquiry this past May by the US Federal Trade Commission into whether the overlap of directors on the boards of Apple and Google could possibly be construed as anticompetitive.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Schmidt stated earlier this month that his own decision to step down as an Apple board member was not due to any pressure and that at the time he did not see any problems encountered due to Levinson’s similar dual directorship.
By Marie Boran
