Google has announced changes to its European business to meet the challenge of a changing and more combative regulatory landscape on the continent where politicians and rivals are pushing to curb its power.

The company is unifying its two separate European arms, which had been split into geographic groupings.

Matt Brittin, who previously led Google's northern and western European arm, will take over the day-to-day running of the new business, with country leaders reporting directly to him. He will be based in London.

Google’s European headquarters are in Dublin, where the company employs about 2,500 people.

It is understood that the restructuring will have no effect on Dublin’s “EMEA” headquarter status within the group.

Google’s activities have become the focal point of a backlash against Silicon Valley groups in Europe, sparked by concerns over US internet surveillance and tax avoidance.

A leading threat comes from Brussels, where the European Commission has reopened its antitrust inquiry into Google's search engine, a move that could tangle the US group up in legal proceedings for several years.

The company also faces governmental and legal pressure over its activities in several individual countries.

Mr Brittin said one structure would enable the company to respond better to local conditions and opportunities. Google will also announce new initiatives aimed at winning over Europe’s sceptics. – (Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2015)