David Levin Will Step Down from CEO Post at UBM in 2014
David Levin informed the board of UBM that he will be leaving his CEO post by July 31.
The board will begin the search process for his successor, led by UBM’s chairperson, Helen Alexander. Levin will stay in his CEO post until a successor is found.
"David has led the remarkable transformation of UBM into a focused, international events-led marketing communications business during a time of huge change in the media industry. He has successfully laid the foundations for UBM's next phase of development,” Alexander said.
She added, “David remains in charge, and we are working closely together to ensure a good handover when the time comes."
Levin started with UBM in 2005 and has been involved in the information, technology and media sectors since 1994, holding senior positions at the international business publishing group Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC, as Group COO, Group CFO, and as president of Institutional Investor magazine group in New York.
Between February 1999 to April 2002, he was CEO of Psion plc, the handheld computing company, and between April 2002 and April 2005, he was CEO of Symbian, a mobile phone software licensing company.
Prior to that, Levin also worked for the private equity group Apax Partners, based in the U.K., as Managing director of a number of engineering companies, and with the consultancy firm Bain and Company, mostly in Asia and the USA.
"I have really enjoyed leading the transformation of UBM's business over the past eight years, together with a great group of colleagues,” Levin said.
He added, “During this time, UBM has completed more than 100 acquisitions and more than a dozen disposals, and we have returned more than £900 million ($1.4 billion) of cash to shareholders. UBM's two main businesses, Events and PR Newswire, offer significant opportunities for growth, both organic and by acquisition.”
Levin also oversaw the growth of the company into emerging markets, such as China, India, Brazil, Turkey and the ASEAN region, and further expansion into the U.S.
“I feel that it is the right time to look for my next challenge. I look forward to the future and, in the meantime, it is business as usual,” Levin said.
Add new comment