Updated 01/13/2014
Originally published 09/17/2013
Officials from UBM plc, a multinational media company headquartered in London, stated that their CEO is stepping down from his position on March 1.
The search process for David Levin’s successor was initiated by the UBM board of directors, led by Dame Helen Alexander, the former board chair.
“We are making very good progress in the search for David’s successor and will ensure there is an orderly transition. UBM has a strong and experienced senior management team, and it is very much business as usual. I congratulate David on his exciting new role, and thank him warmly for his enormous contribution to UBM in the past and during this transitional period,” said Alexander.
Alexander will now become executive chair until a new CEO is in place. She will chair UBM’s executive committee and continue to work closely with Robert Gray, chief financial officer.
“David led the transformation of UBM into a focused, international events-led marketing communications business during a time of huge change in the media industry. He successfully laid the foundations for UBM’s next phase of development,” said Alexander. “David remains in charge, and we are working closely together to ensure a good handover when the time comes.”
Levin joined UBM in 2005 and led the transformation of UBM from a broad media conglomerate focused primarily on the U.K. and the U.S. into an events and communications business with a significant proportion of its business in emerging markets. UBM built its businesses in the emerging markets of China, India, Brazil, Turkey and the ASEAN region while strengthening its largest position in the U.S., according to Levin.
“I have really enjoyed leading the transformation of UBM’s business over the past eight years, together with a great group of colleagues,” said Levin. “It is the right time to look for my next challenge. I look forward to the future and, in the meantime, it is business as usual.”
During Levin’s time at UBM, the company completed more than 100 acquisitions and more than a dozen disposals. It returned more than £900m of cash to shareholders.
