Vanessa is chief executive of Newsworks, the marketing body for the UK’s national newsbrands, working with advertisers and agencies to help them harness the influence and context of the national press to deliver effective campaigns in a multi-platform world. She has worked in the media and marketing industry for over 25 years in a variety of roles. From a media trainee working on Farleys and Wrigley, via client side at British Rail as head of media and marketing in the year running up to privatisation, before returning to the world of media agencies. Her last agency role was head of publishing at Mindshare, leading the press exchange team, responsible for planning and buying for a wide range of clients. She was also a core member of the trading team, responsible for negotiating the annual £490 million GroupM spend across publisher platforms. She joined Newsworks in September 2012 as head of client services and strategy, overseeing and developing relationships with media agencies and advertisers, and championing the role of newsbrands in the media mix. Vanessa was appointed chief executive in November 2016. Vanessa is a senior figure in the advertising market, regularly commenting on newsbrands in the national media and trade press, as well as speaking at industry, client and media owner events. A keen sailor, she is a Royal Ocean Racing Club Rear Commodore.