Pictured: Google Ireland's first female head Fionnuala Meehan. Her colleague Ronan Harris is to become head of Google UK and Ireland. Image: Shane O'Neill
Fionnuala Meehan is to become Google’s new country manager and the head of a 6,000-strong organisation, as Ronan Harris takes up a new role as head of Google UK and Ireland.
Ronan Harris took charge of Google Ireland two years ago, following the departure of John Herlihy, who is now country manager of LinkedIn.
Harris oversaw the rapid increase in Google’s operations in Dublin, including the addition of a second data centre, and he has described Ireland as being the data capital of Europe.
‘We have a great leader in Ronan for the UK and Ireland business at a pivotal time, and an inspirational leader in Ireland in Fionnuala’
– MATT BRITTIN
“I’m looking forward to taking on a new challenge of leading the UK and Ireland business,” said Harris.
“As one of the most sophisticated digital countries in the world, it’s an exciting time to help our advertisers make the most of what the web has to offer. I’m leaving Dublin with mixed emotions as I’m so proud of what we have achieved over the past few years.”
A pivotal time for Google
Meehan, who up until now was managing director of EMEA Sales (SMB) at Google where she led a 500-strong team and is now VP EMEA, Google Marketing Solutions, has been an ardent proponent for adding computer science to the Irish schools curriculum.
Google’s Call to Code, which she spearheaded, saw a significant increase in female participation going from zero in 2014 to 15pc in 2015.
“I’m honoured to be given the chance to represent this fantastic, diverse, fun and innovative site,” said Meehan.
“The way we work with the community in Ireland is really important to us and I look forward to strengthening our relationships further. I can’t wait to further develop our culture and programmes in the years ahead,” Meehan said.
Pictured: New head of Google in the UK, Ronan Harris. Image: Shane O’Neill
Matt Brittin, president of EMEA business and operations at Google, said that Meehan will make an inspirational leader within the company.
“Over the last few years, I’ve had the privilege of seeing Ronan and Fionnuala build tremendous teams and operations that help businesses and publishers grow across EMEA. With that experience, we have a great leader in Ronan for the UK and Ireland business at a pivotal time, and an inspirational leader in Ireland in Fionnuala.”
