Google Cloud strengthens leadership with Francis DeSouza as COO

Google Cloud has appointed Francis deSouza, a seasoned tech executive with nearly four decades of experience, as its new Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, deSouza will help lead Google Cloud as it continues to expand its influence in the cloud computing industry, particularly by focusing on the transformative potential of Generative AI.

DeSouza announced his new role in a LinkedIn post, expressing his excitement about joining the company at a pivotal moment. “It’s an especially exciting time at Google Cloud as organizations are increasingly looking to leverage the transformative power of GenAI to deliver remarkable outcomes,” he said. His post quickly gained traction, garnering over 700 comments by Wednesday morning.

Throughout his illustrious career, deSouza has held prominent roles at several leading tech companies. He served as the president of product and services at cybersecurity firm Symantec and later as the CEO of biotechnology giant Illumina. His career is marked by his success in both technology and business, and his expertise has spanned diverse industries such as cybersecurity, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.

In 2023, deSouza co-founded Synth Labs, an AI research firm that has already garnered attention in the tech community. The startup received undisclosed funding last year from notable investors, including Microsoft’s venture capital arm, M12, and Eric Schmidt's First Spark Ventures. DeSouza’s background in AI and his extensive entrepreneurial track record, including the acquisition of his companies by Symantec and Microsoft, make him a powerful addition to Google Cloud’s leadership team.

His earlier ventures include the founding of IMlogic, an instant messaging security company acquired by Symantec in 2006, and Flash Communications, a messaging software company bought by Microsoft in 1998. Additionally, deSouza has been actively involved as an investor and advisor to several tech firms. He currently advises companies such as 4baseCare, Deel, and Moonwalk Biosciences, and has investments in Moonhub and Essential AI.

Google Cloud is undergoing significant expansion and deSouza's appointment is seen as a strategic move to solidify its leadership in the competitive cloud computing space. DeSouza joins the company during a period of impressive growth, as Google Cloud continues to capitalize on the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.

In the third quarter of 2024, Google Cloud reported a remarkable $11.4 billion in revenue, a 35 percent year-over-year increase. This sales growth outpaces its major competitors, Microsoft and AWS, who reported growth rates of 20 and 19 percent, respectively, for the same period. DeSouza emphasized this achievement, highlighting it as proof of Google Cloud’s technological strength and its growing AI portfolio.

“Google Cloud’s $11.4 billion in Q3 revenue—an incredible 35 percent year-over-year increase—is a testament to the opportunity, and the strength of Google Cloud’s technology leadership and powerful AI portfolio,” deSouza said, expressing enthusiasm about the potential ahead. The company’s growth trajectory is strong, with Google Cloud currently holding a 12 percent share of the global enterprise cloud infrastructure market. While Amazon Web Services (AWS) dominates the space with a 31 percent share, and Microsoft holds 20 percent, Google Cloud is steadily making its mark.

DeSouza’s vast experience, coupled with his passion for innovation in AI, positions him to play a critical role in driving Google Cloud's future success. As the company continues to expand its cloud offerings, the leadership of deSouza is expected to be instrumental in further accelerating its growth and positioning it as a formidable competitor in the cloud space.