PPA announces chair of PPA Next Gen board

The PPA has announced that Jane Wolfson, chief commercial officer, Hearst UK will be the chair of its Next Gen board. The appointment will see Wolfson help steer the new board of 15 members who will be announced following a recruitment process in June.

The initiative is part of the PPA’s strategy to encourage more inclusivity of younger voices across the special interest and magazine media sector and help shape the future of the industry.

The PPA says Wolfson will be joined by Adrian Newton commercial director, New Scientist; Jackie Scully, executive director, Think; Stuart Forrest, audience & marketing senior executive; Sophie Eke, chief marketing officer, ARC; and Sajeeda Merali, CEO PPA as mentors for the PPA Next Gen board members.

Applications close on April 28 and the shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews with Chris Duncan, CEO UK Publishing, Bauer; Nina Wright, CEO, Harmsworth; Ridhi Radia, head of ED&I, Immediate Media; Jess Barclay, head of people, Haymarket; Amer Safir, chief editor, Review of Religions; Amy Ellis, head of rights & permission, PLS; and Sophie Griffiths, editor and chief purpose officer, TTG Media.

Jane Wolfson, chief commercial director, Hearst UK commented: “Nurturing talent is key to ensuring a healthy future for our industry. This is a unique initiative and one that I’m really excited to be a part of. We want to encourage different perspectives and ideas, as well as helping the next generation of leaders hone their skills at board level.”

Sajeeda Merali, CEO, PPA said: “Jane has been an active supporter and mentor of young talent in our industry for some time, so I’m delighted that she has agreed to take on the position of chair. We’re thrilled to have great mentors to work alongside her, as well as a top-level recruitment panel. I’m looking forward to seeing how their new ideas feed into our overall industry agenda. I’d also like to thank the PLS team for their ongoing support of our talent programmes.”