Hearst UK CEO Katie Vanneck-Smith appointed PPA Chair

Katie Vanneck-Smith, the CEO of Hearst UK, has been appointed as PPA Chair by its Board of Directors. She will take up the position in January 2025 following the three-year tenure of Harmsworth Media Chair, Nina Wright.
 
Announcing the appointed, the PPA said Vanneck-Smith, who will be collaborating with PPA CEO Sajeeda Merali, would “bring her vast media industry experience and entrepreneurial spirit to support the PPA in its delivery of new directives for the vibrant sector and its 250+ UK publishing companies and associate members”.
 
“In a time of transformative change, it’s an incredibly exciting time for our industry and I’m proud to step into the role of PPA Chair,” said Vanneck-Smith.

“Nina and the PPA team have done an excellent job in championing our sector, and I look forward to working alongside Sajeeda to help drive innovation and advance the PPA’s support for its members.”

Sajeeda Merali added: “I’d like to thank Nina for her tenure as Chair over the last three years. Her strategic thinking combined with her industry knowledge have been invaluable in helping us transform our member offering and define the PPA’s new strategic positioning.

“As we move forward with our plan for 2025 and beyond, I’m excited to work with Katie, to champion our vibrant and exciting sector.”

Vanneck-Smith joined Hearst UK as CEO in December 2022 and has also held leadership roles at Telegraph Media Group, The Times, and The Wall Street Journal, in addition to co-founding the global media outlet Tortoise Media in 2018.