Former UK deputy leader Nick Clegg made Facebook global affairs chief

The former deputy prime minister lost his seat from his Sheffield Hallam seat in 2017

Former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg. Getty Images

Facebook has appointed former UK deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg as head of its global affairs and communications team.

The former leader of the Liberal Democrats formed a coalition with David Cameron's Conservative party in 2010. Sir Nick, 51, will reportedly move to Silicon Valley in January 2019 to take up his role and succeeds Elliot Schrage.

Sir Nick served as parliament member for Sheffield Hallam from 2005-17.

He joins at a difficult time for Facebook, which faced increased scrutiny over the Cambridge Analytica scandal and numerous hacks.

Two of Facebook's top executives, Mr Schrage and Rachel Whetstone, left in the summer in the midst of the crisis.

Mr Schrage, who as head of communications and public policy has led the social network’s response to its several scandals, but stepped down from the role in June after a decade with the company.

Schrage will stay as an adviser, Facebook said.

Sir Nick's predecessor as MP for Sheffield Hallam is Richard Allan, who is now Facebook's public policy chief for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as a Liberal Democrat Peer.