Informa Markets Taps Nancy Walsh to Lead North America; Rick McConnell, Fred Linder Stepping Down
October 29, 2020
Informa Markets has consolidated its North America-headquartered brands under a single leadership team led by Nancy Walsh, who has been promoted to the role of President of the expanded North America portfolio.
“Since joining us, Nancy has immersed herself in understanding what value we can offer to our customers through our brands and developed solutions that keep our communities connected, 365 days a year,” said Charlie McCurdy, CEO Informa Markets.
He added, “She and her team have demonstrated innovation and entrepreneurship – two fundamental attributes to our culture at Informa Markets. By elevating Nancy to this broader role, I have every faith that she will help all our North America-headquartered brands to continue to develop sustainable and effective physical events and evolving digital solutions.”
Key brands in the portfolio Walsh will oversee include National Products Expos West and East, World of Concrete, SupplySide West and MAGIC.
During her time as president of the company’s Fashion portfolio, Walsh has been instrumental in getting close to customers and communities, understanding their needs and developing brands and experiences to help them trade and connect.
Most recently, Walsh and her team launched a first-of-its-kind digital tradeshow for the fashion industry through a strategic partnership with ecommerce platform provider, NuORDER.
Walsh was named the International Association of Exhibitions and Events' Woman of the Year in 2020, an honor she described as ‘humbling’.
Walsh joined Informa Markets from Freeman, where she held the position of senior vice president, Brand Experience, and prior to that she spent 32 years at Reed Exhibitions, where she worked her way up to president – North America.
“It’s been an honor to work alongside such passionate colleagues who have continued to deliver for our customers in what has been a challenging year for us all,” Walsh said.
She added, “I’m excited to take on this new role, drawing upon what we’ve learned in the Informa Markets Fashion group and bringing it together with what other industry-leading brands across the rest of this enlarged North America portfolio have done to develop the best solutions for our customers.”
With these changes, two long-standing members of its senior management team, Rick McConnell and Fred Linder, who led the former North America group and Health & Nutrition group, respectively, will be stepping down.
McConnell and Linder will both leave the business at the end of this year.
“Rick and Fred have both been strong leaders, instrumental in building up their areas of the business, as well as trusted advisors and friends,” McCurdy said. “On behalf of our senior team, I wish them every success in their future ventures.”
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