Strategic leadership hire supports Core42’s international growth, AI cloud expansion, and rising demand for sovereign AI infrastructure.
Core42 has appointed former Google Cloud executive Emma Cloney as Senior Vice President of International Sales & Strategy and General Manager for Ireland, marking a significant step in the company’s global expansion and leadership in sovereign AI and cloud computing solutions.
In this newly created leadership role, Cloney will spearhead Core42’s international go-to-market strategy, accelerate global commercial growth, and scale its sovereign cloud and AI cloud platforms to meet increasing demand for secure, high-performance AI infrastructure. Based in Dublin and reporting to Chief Business Officer Sherif Tawfik, she will also lead operations in Ireland while strengthening the company’s European presence.
This appointment follows the launch of Core42’s European headquarters in Dublin in December 2025. The hub serves as a strategic center for AI innovation, customer delivery, technical expertise, and partner ecosystem development. As enterprises across Europe rapidly adopt AI technologies, demand for sovereign AI solutions and GPU-powered cloud infrastructure continues to surge. Industry projections indicate that over 60% of European organizations are prioritizing sovereign AI, with spending on AI-optimized servers expected to reach $46.8 billion by 2026.
Emma Cloney brings over 30 years of experience in cloud computing, enterprise technology, and international market expansion. Prior to joining Core42, she served as Managing Director of Global Business Programmes at Google Cloud, where she led global sales transformation initiatives, strengthened technical talent pipelines, and improved operational efficiency to accelerate product adoption and market growth.
During her earlier tenure at Google Cloud, Cloney played a key role in scaling the company’s EMEA operations, contributing to its evolution into a multi-billion-dollar cloud business. She also held senior leadership roles at Microsoft, where she managed global strategic partnerships in the financial services sector, driving revenue growth, joint innovation, and large-scale go-to-market strategies. Additionally, she served as Chief Operating Officer for Advertising and Online in Europe, overseeing multi-country operations and cross-functional teams.
Cloney’s leadership experience extends to SAP UK and Ireland, where she held board-level responsibilities focused on cloud revenue growth and digital transformation strategy.
Sherif Tawfik, Chief Business Officer at Core42, commented, “Across Europe and global markets, organizations are increasingly focused on deploying AI at scale with reliability, security, and compliance. Sovereign AI, resilient infrastructure, and advanced cloud capabilities are becoming critical differentiators. Emma’s deep expertise in scaling global cloud businesses and her strong understanding of the European technology landscape make her a key asset as we expand our international footprint and partnerships.”
Emma Cloney added, “Core42 is at a pivotal stage of growth, with strong momentum in AI cloud innovation and a clear global vision. The opportunity to contribute to a company leading in sovereign AI infrastructure and next-generation cloud technologies is incredibly compelling. I look forward to strengthening our presence across Europe and driving the next phase of international expansion.”
Beyond her corporate leadership, Cloney is actively involved in mentoring emerging leaders, particularly supporting women in technology and international business. She is a member of WB Directors UK and the Institute of Directors, contributing to discussions on corporate governance, leadership, and sustainable growth. She has also supported various charitable initiatives focused on long-term strategic development.
Cloney holds academic credentials from University College Dublin and INSEAD, Fontainebleau.
