Nick Clegg, the former UK deputy prime minister, has announced his decision to leave Meta. Reflecting on his tenure, he described it as "the right time for me to move on" from his position as president of global affairs, a role in which he worked to bridge the gap between technology and politics.
His departure, announced shortly before Donald Trump's inauguration as the next US president, will see Joel Kaplan, a former Republican White House deputy chief of staff, step into the position.
In a statement, Sir Nick, who previously led the UK's Liberal Democrats, shared, "As we embark on a new year, I feel this is the perfect moment to conclude my time as president of global affairs at Meta. It has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime adventure."
Sir Nick, who joined Meta in 2018 after losing his parliamentary seat in 2017, reflected on the timing of his role. He remarked, "My years at the company coincided with a pivotal period in redefining the relationship between major tech companies and the societal demands represented by evolving laws, institutions, and norms across the sector."
He further emphasized the unique experience of transitioning from politics to the fast-paced tech industry. "Having spent nearly two decades in European and British politics, it has been an incredible privilege to gain a front-row seat to the innovation that makes Silicon Valley a global hub of progress. The pace of change here has been both overwhelming and inspiring," he explained.
I hope I have contributed to building bridges between the often contrasting realms of technology and politics - two spheres that will undoubtedly continue to intersect in unpredictable ways on a global scale.
Sir Nick Clegg, Meta
His successor, Joel Kaplan, who currently serves as Meta's deputy global affairs officer, will now assume the role of chief global affairs officer. Sir Nick praised Kaplan as "the right leader for the right role at the right time," highlighting his ability to guide Meta's strategy as societal and political expectations surrounding technology continue to evolve.
Since joining Meta in October 2018, Clegg has overseen the company's public relations strategy, navigating complex challenges in the digital landscape. As he prepares to transition out of the role, he stated, "I'll spend the coming months handing over responsibilities. After that – just as I have done with each chapter of my fortunate career across politics, government, and the private sector – I will look forward to new adventures."