With the announcement that Google's Larry Page and Sergey Brin have stepped back from their management positions to take more advisory roles in the company they co-founded, Google CEO Sundar Pichai now leads all of Alphabet, including its expansion into healthcare.
Until the Dec. 3 restructuring, Mr. Brin served as president of Alphabet, while Mr. Page was CEO of the company, a role in which he also oversaw Alphabet's "Other Bets." That portfolio includes life sciences unit Verily, research and development-focused biotech company Calico, venture arm GV and artificial intelligence startup DeepMind, all of which have played major roles in Alphabet's growing investment in healthcare.
Mr. Pichai, now CEO of both Google and Alphabet, will take Mr. Page's place in managing Alphabet's investments in its Other Bets portfolio, according to a letter issued Dec. 3 by the company's co-founders.
"With Alphabet now well established, and Google and the Other Bets operating effectively as independent companies, it's the natural time to simplify our management structure. We've never been ones to hold on to management roles when we think there's a better way to run the company," they wrote. "We are deeply committed to Google and Alphabet for the long term, and will remain actively involved as board members, shareholders and co-founders. In addition, we plan to continue talking with Sundar regularly, especially on topics we're passionate about!"
In an email sent to Google employees and shared alongside Mr. Page and Mr. Brin's letter, Mr. Pichai wrote, "I want to be clear that this transition won't affect the Alphabet structure or the work we do day to day. I will continue to be very focused on Google and the deep work we're doing to push the boundaries of computing and build a more helpful Google for everyone. At the same time, I'm excited about Alphabet and its long-term focus on tackling big challenges through technology."