Brittin is new Google UK boss

by Andrew McCormick, Revolution UK 18-Mar-09, 09:10

LONDON - Matt Brittin, joint-UK country manager at Google, is set to be promoted to director of UK operations, replacing Dennis Woodside, who is to return to the US.

Brittin will become the most powerful Google executive in the UK, taking over Woodside's duties although not those for Benelux and Ireland. Mark Howe, Google's other joint-UK country manager, will report to Brittin as a result of the new structure.

Dennis Woodside, one of Google's most senior European executives, and number one in Revolution's list of the most powerful people in digital, is moving back to the US to become the search giant's vice-president, Americas Operations.

He will replace Tim Armstrong, who left to become chairman and chief executive of AOL. Armstrong's departure was announced late last week and Google has moved swiftly to replace him.

In his new role Woodside will be expected to become the main link between Google and US agencies, managing relationships and bulding Google's display business.

Woodside joined Google in December 2003 from McKinsey and has since built up Google's Dublin office to become the search giant's European headquarters.

As vice-president for Google UK, Benelux and Ireland, Woodside oversaw Google's UK revenues overtaking those of ITV1, Britain's biggest commercial TV channel.

He also introduced the controversial policies of allowing brands to bid on trademarked keywords and accepting revenues from gambling firms.