Facebook hires former UK deputy PM to run global affairs

Facebook confirmed on Friday that it is hiring Nick Clegg, the former deputy prime minister of the United Kingdom, to be its head of global policy and communications.

Clegg, a member of the Liberal Democrats in Britain, will head to Silicon Valley in January to replace Elliot Schrage, who announced in June that he would leave Facebook after 10 years.

{mosads}“I believe that Facebook must continue to play a role in finding answers to those questions — not by acting alone in Silicon Valley, but by working with people, organizations, governments and regulators around the world to ensure that technology is a force for good,” Clegg said in a Facebook post announcing the move. “I am looking forward to being part of this endeavour.”

Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s chief operating officer, called Clegg a “thoughtful and gifted leader” who “understands deeply the responsibilities we have to people who use our service around the world.”

“Our company is on a critical journey,” she said. “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.”

Clegg, who was a former European Commission trade negotiator and member of the European Parliament, will seek to help the company improve its relationship not just with politicians in the U.K. but Europe more broadly.

His experience could help the company as it deals with British politicians who are frustrated with Facebook’s handling of the Cambridge Analytica scandal and battles over regulation with the European Union.