Google shuffles top management at its philanthropic arm

The head of Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, is stepping down as the group's day-to-day manager, a role that will go to a new business development executive from the main Google company.

Google.org has spearheaded the company's effort to produce renewable energy at a price cheaper than coal, a high-profile effort that partly aims to cut global warming, as well as taking on health issues and global poverty.

Dr. Larry Brilliant, who joined Google.org as executive director in 2006, announced the move in a blog post on Monday.

"It's clear that I am most effective in helping to identify 'big ideas' and potential partners, as well as raising awareness about society's biggest challenges," Brilliant said in the blog post, announcing his new role as "Chief Philanthropy Evangelist."

He cited as examples of success under his leadership projects such as Flu Trends, which uses search data to track outbreaks of flu, and PowerMeter, which is developed to help homeowners track their energy use. (See: Google developing power-saving software tool)

''During our review it became clear that while we have been able to support some remarkable nonprofit organisations over the past three years, our greatest impact has come when we've attacked problems in ways that make the most of Google's strengths in technology and information,'' Brilliant wrote.