Facebook has appointed, Nicola Mendelsohn, the former president of UK’s advertising industry trade body IPA as its new head of Europe, Middle East & Africa, as part of its efforts to boost its revenues by launching more ad platforms.

Mendelsohn will replace Joanna Shields, who left Facebook in October 2012 to lead the government’s Tech City initiative, marking an end to a six month search for the successor.

Mendelsohn said in a statement that Facebook’s innovation in the way brands are putting people at the centre of the conversation is fascinating.

"I am very excited to be joining the team," she said.

Challeges before Mendelsohn will be to assist the social networking firm to generate more income from advertisers.

Facebook global marketing solutions vice-president Carolyn Everson said Mendelsohn brings outstanding leadership and passion for what Facebook can do to become an indispensable partner for its clients and agencies throughout the region.

"It’s testament to Facebook’s innovative role in business and advertising that we’re able to welcome a leader with such great experience."

Prior to this, Mendelsohn was a partner and executive chairman of advertising agency Karmarama and was deputy chairman of Grey Advertising and a director at BBH.