When it comes to big companies they all have a face that the sits in the public eye. Android has Matias Duarte, Sundar Pichai and Hugo Barra… oh wait, perhaps that statement isn’t true or at least won’t be true in a few weeks.

Android’s Vice President announced in the early hours of this morning that after 5 1/2 years at Google he was ready to step down and face new challenges.

[toggle title=”Announcement” state=”close”]

After nearly 5½ years at Google and almost 3 years as a member of the Android team — the most amazing group of people I’ve ever worked with in my life — I have decided to start a new career chapter.

In a few weeks, I’ll be joining the Xiaomi team in China to help them expand their incredible product portfolio and business globally — as Vice President, Xiaomi Global.  I’m really looking forward to this new challenge, and am particularly excited about the opportunity to continue to help drive the Android ecosystem.

It has been an amazing ride and true honor to be part of the Android team at Google, and I especially want to thank +Andy Rubin , +Hiroshi Lockheimer , +Sundar Pichaiand +Vic Gundotra for their phenomenal support and mentorship over the years.

+Android team, I will truly miss you all!

[/toggle]

So as you read (if you opened the toggle) Hugo Barra has decided to leave Android for a company who made it’s fortunes off the back of CyanogenMod (a sore point for Steve Kondik).

What this means for Android and Xiaomi is yet to be seen however I know that I for one think it’s a crazy move though that said, it’s not my move so who am I to comment.