YouTube UK, Ireland MD Ben McOwen Wilson leaves for new Google role

Ben McOwen Wilson, YouTube’s MD in the UK and Ireland, is leaving the video platform after more than 11 years to take up another role with parent company Google.

Ben McOwen Wilson

In his new position, McOwen Wilson will lead Google Play in EMEA, with more details to follow.

In his 11-and-a-half years at YouTube, McOwen Wilson helped launch and lead the business, creators and teams across territories including the UK, Africa, Nordics, Benelux, DACH and Russia. He also chaired the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention in 2021.

Announcing his departure on LinkedIn, he said: “YouTube has, by far, been the most fun, most fulfilling and most challenging role of my career. It really is the best job in the world (sorry, Boris) and I have been lucky enough to wake up to do what I love every day for more than a decade.

“I leave a fantastic team at the top of their game on every front, and leave behind many friends in the previous incarnations of teams that I have helped to build across the region. I cannot begin to thank those who worked with me on that journey, and most of all those who have trusted me with their careers. Together, we have built the most incredible, open platform which has revolutionised and continues to shape the media landscape across the region.”