Currently CEO of the Professional Publishers Association, Owen has held a number of roles at the magazine and business media trade body, overseeing its public affairs work and, more recently, as managing director before being promoted to CEO last year. He stood as a parliamentary candidate in the 2017 General Election, coming within a hair’s breadth of being elected MP for Newcastle-under- Lyme, says the NMA.
Prior to joining the PPA seven years ago, Owen was a senior parliamentary advisor and before that worked at the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Owen will succeed David Newell, the current CEO, when David retires at the end of June.
NMA chairman Henry Faure Walker said: “We are delighted that Owen will be joining us as the NMA’s CEO, spearheading our drive for a sustainable and fairer ecosystem for quality journalism in the UK. He has deep understanding and passion for editorial and commercial freedoms, alongside an outstanding track record in political and government affairs. David Newell has done a phenomenal job for the industry, leading the NMA over a great many years, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Owen Meredith said: “The survival of the news media is vital to our nation’s future, yet commercial and regulatory threats risk undermining press freedom and the essential role of professional journalism. The NMA is at the forefront of protecting and promoting this all-important sector and I am excited by the opportunity to lead it through its next phase. I look forward to working with friends and allies across industry to secure a sustainable future for quality journalism.”
Owen will join the NMA on 1 June for a short handover period with David and the NMA senior team, before formally taking over the CEO role on 1 July.
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