William Reed, a family-owned media business serving the global food ecosystem, has appointed Richard Sexton as chief operating officer (COO). The business says this role marks a significant step forward in William Reed’s transformation journey as the it accelerates growth and strengthens operational excellence across its global portfolio.
Richard joins William Reed after more than two decades in senior operational leadership roles, including UK operations director at dentsu international and chief operations officer at Carat UK. With expertise in team leadership, operational effectiveness, and change management – including M&A – Richard brings a track record of driving performance and embedding resilience cultures within complex organisations.
William Reed says as COO, Richard will partner with CEO Tracy De Groose to turn strategy into performance, ensuring it operates as one connected organisation. His remit will focus on driving speed and discipline across operations, embedding a performance mindset and a culture of continuous improvement, informed decision-making, and personal accountability.
Tracy De Groose, CEO of William Reed, said: “Richard’s appointment is a pivotal moment for William Reed. This new role will help us deliver on our priorities with clarity and impact, supporting growth and improving profitability across our brands. Richard’s experience in tackling complex business challenges and managing stakeholders at all levels makes him the ideal partner as we continue to transform and future-proof the business.”
Richard Sexton added: “I’m thrilled to be joining William Reed at such an exciting time. Having worked closely with the team over recent months, I’ve seen first-hand the ambition and energy driving this transformation. My focus will be on ensuring we operate with pace, discipline and collaboration – creating the foundations for sustainable growth and success.”
Richard’s appointment follows a period of significant change at William Reed, the business continued, including the arrival of CEO Tracy De Groose in 2024 and the appointment of Chair Holly Widdowson in 2025, reinforcing the company’s commitment to future-proofing the business and its enduring contribution to the global food and drink industry.
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