Google PR chief Peter Barron takes new external relations role

Google's UK PR chief Peter Barron is moving to a new role focusing on the firm's external relations, media industry partnerships and work with privacy groups. From January, Barron becomes director of external relations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Barron will be replaced as head of communications and public affairs for north and central Europe regions by former Times technology correspondent Mike Harvey, who has started work at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, this week. Claudine Beaumont, the former Daily Telegraph technology editor, is also understood to be joining Google – though the company declined to comment. Barron, the former Newsnight editor, left the BBC to join Google in September 2008 . He was reportedly shortlisted for the BBC Radio 4 controller job earlier this year after Mark Damazer announced he was to step down, although the job was eventually awarded to Gwyneth Williams . • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".