Condé Nast Britain’s Business Chief Vanessa Kingori To Take On Top Role At Google
Vanessa Kingori OBE, chief business officer at Condé Nast Britain and Vogue European business advisor, is set to leave the media giant to join Google in 2024.
Among her many accolades, the Kenya-born media mogul was the first Black publisher for Condé Nast Britain and the first woman publishing director in British Vogue’s 105-year history.
Top role at Google
Her new position as Managing Director of Tech, Media, and Telecoms at Google marks a strategic shift for the accomplished executive. She forms part of a trio of female senior executive hires.
“We are living through an inflection point that will undoubtedly continue to evolve every business, career, and our lives more generally,” Kingori said in a statement.
“The lure of pivoting my career to apply my love of positive, transformational leadership at this key moment of change at Google feels urgent and is a dream realized.”
Reporting to Debbie Weinstein, Vice President and Managing Director of Google UK and Ireland, Kingori will focus on driving growth through AI-powered technology and advertising solutions.
“Having a seat at the table to drive a focus on deep relationships, learning, and partnership to create positive outcomes for all, in the era of AI, is a privilege,” Kingori said. “It’s an exciting new frontier.”
Meet Vanessa Kingori
Born in Kenya and educated on the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts before permanently relocating to London, Kingori brings a unique perspective shaped by diverse experiences.
Reflecting on her upbringing, she told We Are The City: “Needing to adapt so much at an early age has helped me not fear change, it’s exhilarating.”
Kingori’s 15-year career at Condé Nast Britain included significant contributions to both British GQ and British Vogue.
In 2015, she was appointed publisher of British GQ – the youngest and first woman to hold the role and first Black publisher for Condé Nast Britain. She played a pivotal role in doubling digital revenue ad overseeing the successful relaunch of the mobile-first GQ website,
In 2017, Kingori made history as the publishing director of British Vogue, being the first woman in the magazine’s 105-year history to hold the role. According to Business of Fashion, British Vogue experienced “unprecedented revenue growth” and remarkable profitability under her leadership.
Promotion to chief business officer
Kingori’s success led to her appointment as Condé Nast Britain’s Chief Business Officer in 2021, overseeing all Condé Nast Britain brands, including Vogue, GQ, Wired, Vanity Fair, and Glamour. Again, Kingori made history as Condé Nast Britain’s first Black Publisher and first person of color business lead.
Her strategic restructuring of Condé Nast Britain’s business operations resulted in a notable 27% rise in revenue during the first half of 2022.
Continuing to lead British Vogue, Kingori also took on the role of Vogue European Business Advisor.
Kingori’s move from Condé Nast to Google marks a pivotal moment in her career and the broader media and tech landscape.
Image credit: Sane Seven
