PPA appoints Sajeeda Merali as new Chief Executive
The UK Professional Publishers Association (PPA) has today announced that its new Chief Executive is Sajeeda Merali, who joins from the New Statesman Media Group, where she was Chief Revenue Officer. The appointment comes after what the association calls “a competitive recruitment process”, following the departure of previous CEO, Owen Meredith, in May.
“I am hugely excited to be appointed CEO of the PPA and to be given the opportunity to be an advocate for an industry that I feel so passionate about,” said Merali. “Especially at this point in the transformation curve, bringing together individual and collective experiences has never been more important. As a leader from the sector, I have a keen understanding of the challenges of today and the pace at which publishers are having to adapt. I’m honoured that the Board of the PPA is allowing me to drive this new phase in its mission of advancing the UK’s publishing industry.”
During her time at the New Statesman, Sajeeda helped to build the group’s strategy, and to develop and drive new commercial models around high-value digital opportunities, as well as launching new brands in highly competitive markets.
Prior to that, she was the commercial leader of the Insider Publishing Division at Euromoney Plc, focusing on building its subscription business, and has previously held senior positions at Incisive Media, including Group Sales Director and Director of Marketing Solutions, where she was influential in driving cultural and strategic change.
The PPA cited Merali’s passion for transformation in publishing as one of her key strengths, at a time when the magazine media business model is evolving to diversify revenue streams through areas like e-commerce, subscriptions, and events.
In announcing the news, Tom Bureau, Chairman, PPA and Executive Chairman, Immediate Media Co, said: “Importantly, Sajeeda is passionate about organisational change, driving innovation, and diversity, equality and inclusion, as well as developing and championing diverse business models. These skills will be vital as we develop a new, evolved vision for the PPA that builds on the glue that binds the membership.”
Merali will officially take up her new role on 3rd September 2021 and you can find out more information on the PPA website here.
