Katie Vanneck-Smith appointed PPA chair

The Professional Publishers Association (PPA) today announces the appointment of a new chair. Hearst UK’s CEO, Katie Vanneck-Smith has been appointed by the board of directors, and will take up the position in January 2025, following the three-year tenure of Harmsworth Media Chair, Nina Wright.

With ambitions to further bolster the PPA’s unfaltering support of its 270+ UK publishing companies and associate members, and collaborating with PPA CEO, Sajeeda Merali, the PPA says Vanneck-Smith will bring her vast media industry experience and entrepreneurial spirit to support the PPA in its delivery of new directives for the sector and its members.

Vanneck-Smith, who joined Hearst UK as CEO in December 2022, is an industry-figurehead with a stellar track record which includes leadership roles at Telegraph Media Group, The Times, and The Wall Street Journal, and she also co-founded the global media outlet Tortoise Media in 2018, added the PPA.

As chair of the PPA, the organisation says Vanneck-Smith will bring her knowledge, experience and passion for publishing, during a period of rapid transformation in the industry. She will work closely with Merali and the board, as the PPA implements its 2025 strategy.

Commenting on her appointment, Katie Vanneck-Smith says: “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 chair at the PPA. 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.”

PPA CEO, Sajeeda Merali, comments: “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.”