Larry Page to become Google chief executive
Google co-founder Larry Page is to become chief executive of the US internet search giant in April.
He will take over from Eric Schmidt, who has been in the job for a decade and will become executive chairman.
Google said Mr Schmidt would focus on "deals, partnerships, customers and broader business relationships".
The news was announced as Google unveiled a strong rise in net profits in the last three months of $2.54bn (£1.6bn) on revenues of $8.44bn.
Mr Page, 37, is reclaiming the job he relinquished to Mr Schmidt, 55, when investors called for a more experienced business leader.
"In my clear opinion, Larry is ready to lead and I'm excited about working with both him and Sergey [Brin] for a long time to come," Mr Schmidt said. Mr Brin is Google's co-founder.
Google's fourth-quarter profits were well ahead of analysts' estimates as the company strengthened its internet advertising machine during the pre-Christmas shopping season.
BBC News
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