Mr Gilbertson’s 35 year career in B2B media includes leading the management buyout of Lloyd’s List, building Informa into a £1 billion+ FTSE120 company, and transforming Emap into a digitally-led business, says WTG.
Also joining the WTG Board is events guru and digital leader, Susanna Kempe. As CMO of IIR, the world’s largest privately held events business, Ms Kempe was instrumental in the reshaping of the portfolio to create large scale events. On the retirement of Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay, Ms Kempe led the sale of IIR to Informa for $1.4bn. As CEO of Emap Networks she restructured the business to create record profits, a feat she replicated at WGSN, the digital trend forecaster.
Tony Wheble, CEO of WTG, has announced his resignation from the business. He leaves, says the company, with the thanks and best wishes of the board and the shareholders. Mr Wheble will be replaced as CEO by global events expert Mario Berard.
The trilingual Brazilian, Mr Berard, has spent the last decade living in America, leading fast growing B2B events and training businesses. Previously, he ran the IIR conference businesses in Argentina and Brazil.
Adam Maidment, Partner at Kester Capital, majority shareholder of WTG says: “It is a great endorsement of both the brand strength and market potential of WTG that we are in a position to appoint a new leadership team of this pedigree and calibre. Together they bring a wealth of experience and expertise in the global events business which will drive the business forward over the coming years. These appointments also demonstrate Kester’s strong commitment to building WTG into a leading global events business. I would also like to thank Tony Wheble for his contribution to the WTG business and wish him every success in his next venture.”
David Gilbertson says: “I am delighted to join WTG at such an exciting point in its development. I am confident that WTG has the potential to become a quality leader in the business events industry and I look forward to working with the team to achieve that goal.”
