Devitt Resigns ABC Chief Executive Role

The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), the body responsible for auditing sales of the UK’s magazines and newspapers, is to lose its chief executive next month. Simon Devitt, who has held the post since September 1998, is leaving the organisation to head up a new as-yet-unnamed business-to-business venture.

There is currently no direct replacement for Devitt and John Mayhead, the Bureau’s chairman, will temporarily oversee the role following Devitt’s departure.

Commenting on his resignation, Devitt said: “I have enjoyed being part of the ABC team and we have achieved a lot together. I will be sorry to leave, but I was faced with an opportunity that I felt was too good to miss. I will be heading up a new venture in the business-to-business field and, as it has not yet been announced, I am unable to give more details at present.”

The ABC has recently been forced examine and tighten its audit procedures following the discovery that a number of titles had systematically inflated their circulation numbers (see ABC Creates Working Party To Tighten Audit Procedures).

Audit Bureau of Circulations: 01442 870 800