Joanna Shields leaves Facebook to become chief executive of Tech City Investment Organisation
Facebook’s head of Europe, Joanna Shields is leaving the company to become the chief executive of the U.K.’s Tech City programme.
Shields announced via email that she would be leaving Facebook to take up her new role in January.
Prior to her role at Facebook, Shields was CEO of social network Bebo during the time it was sold to AOL for $850 million and has held positions at Google.
As head of The Tech City programme, which was launched by David Cameron in 2010, Shields will be responsible for attracting foreign direct investment into London’s East End, as well as persuading digital start-ups to build their companies there.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Rohan Silva, David Cameron’s special adviser said of the appointment: “The fact that we’ve been able to recruit one of Europe’s most highly-respected and successful business leaders demonstrates the success of Tech City.”
Shields also added: “There are not many opportunities where you know from day one you can contribute on a huge level.”
“I think London is an extraordinary city. This is the gateway to the world. It should not be a step-child to other cities. It should be in its rightful place as the centre for innovation in my world, the digital industries.”