Head of Facebook Ireland to step down next year

Firm’s Irish operations have grown from 300 to more than 3,000 employees in past decade

Gareth Lambe says he has no plans other than to take time off after an incredible 10 years. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Gareth Lambe says he has no plans other than to take time off after an incredible 10 years. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Facebook owner Meta is on the hunt for a new Irish chief after Gareth Lambe said he would step down next year.

Mr Lambe has been with Facebook, which rebranded as Meta in recent weeks, for a decade. He is currently vice-president for international business planning and operations, and head of office for Meta Ireland.

In a statement, Mr Lambe said he planned to take some time off after overseeing the transition to a new Irish head office.

"I look forward to observing the strategic pivot to the metaverse, and here in Ireland seeing the evolution of our 14-acre Ballsbridge campus into a state-of-the-art collaborative environment," he said.

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“I will be transitioning out of my responsibilities between now and Q2 next year, so will have plenty of time to connect with friends and colleagues. I have no plans other than to take time off after an incredible 10 years.”

In the past decade the company’s Irish operations have grown from 300 to more than 3,000 employees, with an additional 6,000 people supporting Meta’s services in Ireland.

Meta has offices in Grand Canal Square, Facebook Reality Labs in Cork, the Clonee data centre and the campus in Ballsbridge.

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist