Vitesse Media welcomes new chief executive and executive deputy chairman
Publication, website and research business Vitesse Media has announced the appointment of Niki Baker as its new chief executive and David John Smith as its executive deputy chairman.
The announcement, made to the market this morning, will see Baker succeed Leslie Copeland who is to relocate to Norway with his family, but will remain with the company until the end of September. He joined the company in 2006 to head up its events division, before being promoted to chief operating office in 2009.
Baker will take up the role by 1 October.
Meanwhile, Smith, who has held senior positions in the Thomson Organisation and Wolters Kluwer, as well as being executive chairman of Informa and Granada Learning, will take up his role ahead of new shares being admitted to trading by 2 July.
Sara Willians, executive chairman at Vitesse Media, said: "Dave has a wealth of experience and contacts in business, educational and database publishing and a well-established track record in growing media businesses organically and by acquisition. We consider his appointment to be a significant event for Vitesse Media. The investment strengthens our resources to invest in new product and to continue to develop and deliver on our three and five-year strategic plans.
“I am also delighted to announce the appointment of Niki Baker to succeed Leslie Copeland as chief executive. Niki has been the driving force behind the development of our events business, whilst serving as chief operating officer of the Company. I would finally like to offer Leslie our sincere thanks for his vision and sheer hard work in driving the Company through the transition to digital, since he was appointed CEO in 2009, and we wish him every success in his new venture," Williams added.