Core42, a prominent subsidiary of G42—a leading artificial intelligence and cloud computing group—is seeking to solidify its international standing through deliberate strategic steps. In this context, the company announced the appointment of Emma Clooney, a former Google executive, as senior vice president of international sales and strategy, in addition to serving as the company’s general manager in Ireland.
This important step underscores Core42’s commitment to expanding its commercial operations and developing innovative solutions to meet the growing global demand for reliable digital infrastructure. Operating from its European headquarters established in the Irish capital of Dublin in December 2025, Clooney will report directly to the company’s chief business officer, Sherif Tawfik, positioning this office as a strategic springboard for regional operations, a center for delivering premier client services, and a hub for strengthening advanced technical partnerships.
Strategic response to growing demand for sovereign AI
The world is witnessing fundamental shifts in how data is managed and advanced applications are run, with digital sovereignty concepts becoming an urgent necessity for major enterprises rather than a mere technical option. In her new role, Emma Clooney will be responsible for leading comprehensive international commercial strategies and working diligently to expand Core42’s business and projects across several key markets.
To achieve this, the new leader will focus on developing and innovating advanced solutions in sovereign cloud computing and effective artificial intelligence services, responding to market trends demanding reliable, secure infrastructures capable of running highly complex applications with total efficiency and stability.
Latest market indicators in this field show that the shift toward adopting sovereign AI solutions is gaining unprecedented momentum. Recent technical statistics reveal that more than 60% of organizations on the European continent are moving rapidly to adopt these advanced technologies. Furthermore, specialized economic forecasts indicate that spending on servers specifically designed for AI applications will reach approximately $46.8 billion by 2026. These massive figures place Clooney’s appointment within a crucial phase of reshaping and prioritizing digital infrastructure across the continent.
A career rich in achievements at major tech companies
Emma Clooney brings an exceptional background of experience and knowledge spanning nearly three decades in cloud computing, enterprise technology, and international business management. Before joining Core42, she served as general manager of global business programs at Google Cloud, where she made a clear impact on:
- Leading strategic initiatives aimed at boosting sales efficiency and developing operational workflows.
- Nurturing and developing young technical talent and fostering innovation-driven work environments.
- Accelerating the rollout of innovative cloud solutions in global markets with high efficiency.
Her role within the technology giant Google extended beyond that; she played a pivotal role in growing cloud service operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa during early startup phases, contributing effectively to rapid expansion that turned those operations into multibillion-dollar business lines.
Additionally, Clooney held high-ranking leadership positions at Microsoft, where she led a global team managing strategic technology partnerships in the highly complex financial services sector, directly overseeing revenue growth, service marketing strategies, and joint solution development on an international scale. She also served as chief operating officer for advertising and digital services in Europe, successfully managing a 120-person team spanning 15 different countries. Her career also included strategic board-level responsibilities at SAP in the UK and Ireland, focusing on growing cloud computing service revenues.
A shared vision for operational resilience and digital sovereignty
“The focus in Europe and other international markets is currently shifting toward running artificial intelligence applications at scale with high efficiency and reliability, making digital sovereignty, operational resilience, and robust infrastructure decisive factors for the success of any organization striving for leadership.”
This was stated by Sherif Tawfik, chief business officer at Core42, who also emphasized that appointing a leader with Clooney’s experience clearly reflects the company’s firm commitment to building a strong regional presence capable of supporting this major technological transformation. He explained that Clooney’s deep understanding of the nature and needs of the European market, alongside her extensive experience growing cloud computing businesses within major global tech companies, will play a vital role in strengthening the company’s partnerships and expanding its customer base.
For her part, Emma Clooney expressed great enthusiasm and passion for joining the Core42 team, affirming that the current phase represents a pivotal and exceptional turning point in the company’s journey, particularly amid its accelerating momentum and clear competitive standing on the international stage. She noted that the company’s limitless ambitions and the vast scale of available investment and technical opportunities were the primary motivations for accepting this new challenge, looking forward to working alongside senior management to successfully drive the European expansion path in the coming phase.
Empowering women leaders and supporting community sustainability
Emma Clooney’s prominent contributions are not limited to the technical and commercial sides; they extend to a leading role in mentoring and guiding the next generation of leaders in international business. She is notably active in mentoring emerging female leaders and ambitious young professionals through her active participation in various professional networks inside and outside Ireland.
She also maintains a consistent, impactful presence in dialogues and discussions addressing corporate governance and comprehensive organizational growth through her prominent membership in prestigious professional institutions supporting the UK business sector, alongside the Institute of Directors, which specializes in fostering leadership competencies.
Furthermore, she places special emphasis on supporting non-profit charitable organizations in strategic planning and long-term sustainability, drawing on a strong academic background with higher education qualifications from Trinity College Dublin and the renowned INSEAD business school in Fontainebleau, thereby combining deep academic knowledge with extensive practical experience in managing major global tech entities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Emma Clooney and what is her new role?
Emma Clooney is a former executive at major tech companies such as Google and Microsoft, who was recently appointed as senior vice president of international sales and strategy and general manager of Core42 in Ireland.
What are the main objectives of appointing Emma Clooney at Core42?
The appointment aims to lead international commercial strategies, expand the company’s business in European and global markets, and develop sovereign cloud computing solutions and AI services to meet the growing demand for reliable infrastructure.
Where is Core42’s European regional headquarters located?
The company’s European headquarters is located in the Irish capital, Dublin, established to serve as an anchor point for regional operations and a center for developing services and technical partnerships in the region.
What is the expected uptake of artificial intelligence technologies in Europe?
Projections indicate that more than 60% of European organizations are moving toward adopting sovereign AI solutions, with spending on AI servers expected to reach approximately $46.8 billion by 2026.
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