Google snags ex-Microsoft exec to helm cloud in the UK

Google has hired Maureen Costello, a Microsoft and Accenture veteran, to the role of Vice President for UK, Ireland, and Sub-Saharan Africa regions as the UK's Competition Markets Authority (CMA) prepares to publish a provisional decision on its cloud services market investigation.

Costello spent over three years at Microsoft, running the industry solution team (latterly working on "AI transformation," which has become a key focus for Redmond) and previously spent nearly 25 years at services biz Accenture, culminating in the role of Senior Managing Director and Resources Lead for the UK and Ireland.

The timing of the appointment is interesting. The CMA has been investigating the health of the cloud services market, which AWS and Microsoft currently dominate. There has been much finger-pointing during the probe, with Google pitching itself as the underdog, while Microsoft has highlighted that its rival has several distinct competitive advantages, including a huge advertising business.

Google's AI services also pose competitive challenges to Microsoft and remain an essential buzzword to use when pitching digital transformation to customers.

Microsoft recently reshuffled its Europe, Middle East, and Africa unit executives. This moved UK CEO, Clare Barclay, to the role of President for Enterprise and Industry for EMEA, effectively swapping roles with Darren Hardman, who became UK CEO in November 2024.

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Hardman had previously served in the UK Government's Digital Skills Council, as well as being CEO of UK and Ireland at AWS. Barclay was named as chair of the British administration's Industrial Strategy Advisory Council in October, creating a potential conflict of interest.

Costello's exit from Microsoft came shortly after the reshuffle. Professing herself to be delighted to join the Google Cloud team, Costello wrote that she would be "empowering businesses to thrive with AI."

She said: "It's an honor to join Google Cloud at such a pivotal time in its journey. We have a tremendous opportunity to help businesses across the UKI and Sub-Saharan Africa harness the full potential of the cloud, from AI and data analytics to cybersecurity and sustainability. I am eager to build on the strong foundation already in place."

Google Cloud has recently announced agreements with customers BT, John Lewis & Partners, and Vodafone.

The CMA is expected to make a provisional decision following its cloud services marketplace investigation in January 2025, with a final decision due to be published in July 2025 before the statutory deadline in August. ®