Costello, who will serve for two years, takes over from former Hachette UK Chairman Kevin Hand, who now becomes PPA Deputy Chairman for the next 12 months.
The formal handover took place at the 2014 PPA Chairman’s Reception on 3 February. The event, held at Paramount at the top of the Centre Point tower in London, was sponsored by digital magazine platform Readly, a Strategic Partner of the PPA.
Costello is the 29th senior industry executive to lead the PPA as either Chairman or President since the association was founded in 1913.
As Chief Executive of Haymarket Media Group, Costello oversees the media and information company’s divisions in the UK, Germany, India, Hong Kong and the US.
Barry McIlheney, CEO of the PPA, said: “I am delighted to welcome Kevin Costello as Chairman of the PPA at a key moment for both the association and the industry that we lead and serve. Having celebrated our centenary in style last year, we are now entering an exciting new phase, and Kevin’s leadership will be invaluable in shaping the PPA for 2014 and beyond.”
Kevin Costello added: “I’m excited to be named Chairman of the PPA, particularly at this pivotal time as the industry continues to rise to the challenges presented by an increasingly digital economy. Professional publishing is a smart and dynamic sector and the pace of change is tremendous. I’m looking forward to working with CEO Barry McIlheney and his team to represent its interests and highlight its contributions, not only to business and the economy, but to innovation and creativity in the UK.”
About PPA
The PPA says: “The PPA promotes and protects the interests of print and online publishers of consumer and business media in the UK. The PPA has around 200 publishing companies in its membership, which collectively produce more than 2,500 consumer and business magazines and journals as well as digital media, data products and events.”
