Google just lost one of its most visible and outspoken executives: Vic Gundotra, the VP of Engineering who has been leading Google+ since its inception and also became the face of the company’s developer relations though his appearances at the annual Google I/O conference, is leaving effective immediately, according to a Re/Code report that has been confirmed by Google.

Gundotra also confirmed the move on Google+,vwriting in part:

Today I’m announcing my departure from Google after almost 8 years. I have been incredibly fortunate to work with the amazing people of Google. I don’t believe there is a more talented and passionate collection of people anywhere else. And I’m overwhelmed when I think about the leadership of +Larry Page and what he empowered me to do while at Google. From starting Google I/O, to being responsible for all mobile applications, to creating Google+, none of this would have happened…