In a significant leadership change, Dan Neary is stepping down from his role as Meta's chief executive officer for the Asia Pacific region after 12 years with the company, marking the end of a transformative period of digital expansion across emerging markets.

Neary, who joined the company in March 2013 when it was still known as Facebook, has been instrumental in driving the tech giant's regional growth, helping establish its platforms as critical communication and commercial channels in countries like Thailand and Indonesia.

A Meta company spokesperson highlighted Neary's substantial contribution, stating: "Dan's impact on Meta has been extraordinary, and he's built, grown, and led our APAC business to incredible heights, delivering consistently strong results over the years."

With a professional background that includes executive roles at Skype and eBay, Neary brought significant experience in scaling global businesses. His strategic approach helped shape Meta's commercial strategy during a period of intense digital platform adoption across emerging markets.

The company has not yet announced an official successor, but Neary is expected to remain in his position for several months to support a smooth transition.

His departure arrives at a critical moment for Meta, which is increasingly focusing on artificial intelligence investments. Chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg has signalled substantial commitments to AI infrastructure and tooling across the company's platforms.

While the reasons for Neary's departure are described as "personal" by the company spokesperson, his exit represents another leadership shift in a region that remains central to Meta's long-term commercial strategy and growth ambitions.

Neary's legacy includes establishing Meta as a dominant digital platform across diverse and complex international markets, positioning the company for continued expansion in the Asia Pacific region.

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