Google Australia and New Zealand managing director Nick Leeder will leave the role after two years at the top. The former chief operating officer of News Digital Media and deputy chief executive of The Australian will relocate to France to take up a similar role for Google France.
Leeder, who studied Business Administration at INSEAD in France and is married to a Frenchwoman, will leave the role this month. During his time at the top Leeder never shied away from the media, creating a more public profile for the global company in Australia and New Zealand. He led in a key period where Google made big moves into the online video advertising market with YouTube.
For his efforts he featured twice in the AdNews Power 50 list, last year coming in at number 21. While many of the big plays from Google come from its Mountain View base, Leeder did spearhead the ambitious study released in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group, The Culture Boom: How Digital Media are Invigorating Australia, which he used to boost the prominence of Google Australia.
In a statement, Leeder said: “My time with Google Australia and New Zealand has been one of the highlights of my career. The team here is doing tremendous things to help local partners, advertisers, and users. It’s been an honour to be part of it. I look forward to watching Google’s contribution to Australia and New Zealand grow in the coming years.”
He is also known to have been friendly with the political elite to ensure Google's say on media policy was noted.
Google has advertised publicly for a new managing director. Those who believe they are suitable for the position can apply here.
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