Sir Nick Clegg heads to Silicon Valley: Facebook hires former deputy prime minister to lead its global affairs and communications team.
Facebook Inc has hired former U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to lead its global affairs and communications team, as the social network deals with a number of scandals related to privacy, fake news and election meddling.
Lately, Facebook has faced a barrage of criticism from users and lawmakers after it said last year that Russian agents used its platform to spread disinformation before and after the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Sheryl Sandberg steps down from the role
Sheryl Sandberg, who led the social network’s response to its several scandals have stepped down from the role in June 2018 after being at Facebook for 10 years.
Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook chief operating officer, stated, “Our company is on a critical journey. The challenges we face are serious and clear and now more than ever we need new perspectives to help us through this time of change.”
She also said Sir Nick was a “thoughtful and gifted leader” who “understands deeply the responsibilities we have to people who use our service around the world”.
Nick Clegg to handle the global affairs
Nick Clegg was ousted as deputy prime minister after the Conservatives won a majority in 2015 in an election that saw his party suffer a significant loss of support. Clegg lost his own seat in Britain’s parliament in a general election last year.
In a Facebook post, Nick Clegg stated, “Throughout my public life I have relished grappling with difficult and controversial issues and seeking to communicate them to others. I hope to use some of those skills in my new role.”
