Nick Clegg to Depart Meta, Succeeded by Notable Republican Joel Kaplan | US News
Former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Nick Clegg has announced his decision to resign from his position at Meta, the parent company of Facebook.
He expressed that it is the “right time for me to move on” from his role as President of Global Affairs.
With Donald Trump set to be sworn in shortly, he will be succeeded by Joel Kaplan, a former deputy chief of staff under President George W. Bush from 2006 to 2009.
Sir Nick remarked, “As the new year commences, I feel this is the appropriate moment for me to step down from my position as President of Global Affairs at Meta.”
“It has truly been a remarkable journey!”
The ex-Liberal Democrat leader took on the role of Vice President for Global Affairs and Communications at Meta in 2018 after losing his parliamentary seat the previous year.
He was promoted in 2022, with Mark Zuckerberg stating that this elevation placed Sir Nick on equal footing with himself, allowing him to lead “on all our policy matters”.
Reportedly, Sir Nick enjoys a multi-million-dollar compensation package, including stock options, at the company.
His responsibilities have centered on shaping policy amid rising concerns regarding misinformation, user data management, and harmful content.
The 57-year-old also contributed to the establishment of the Facebook Oversight Board, an independent entity responsible for crucial content moderation decisions.
However, with Mr. Trump nearing his presidency, having a prominent Republican in a top position could prove advantageous.
The relationship between the incoming president and Meta has been tense post-2020 election, as Mr. Trump alleged that the platform suppressed content detrimental to Joe Biden’s campaign.
Joel Kaplan (pictured in 2008) worked for President George W. Bush. Pic: AP
A spokesperson for Meta revealed that the company has contributed $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund.
In his departure announcement on Facebook, Sir Nick stated: “My tenure at the company has coincided with a significant transformation of the relationship between ‘big tech’ and the societal pressures awakening new laws, institutions, and norms impacting the sector.”
“I hope my efforts have helped bridge the distinct realms of technology and politics—realms that will continue to engage in unpredictable interactions worldwide.”
He expressed that it has been an “extraordinary privilege” to gain firsthand insight into what makes Silicon Valley a leading hub of global innovation.
Sir Nick plans to transition into “new adventures” after spending a few months handing over duties to Mr. Kaplan, his current deputy.
