Dawn Airey to become senior vice president of Yahoo EMEA

Yahoo has today announced that it has appointed Dawn Airey as senior vice president of the company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) operation. Airey will report to COO Henrique de Castro.

The appointment of Airey follows her five year role at RTL and marks the end of a long search by the internet company, which has been looking to fill the role since Rich Riley left in April 2012.

Beginning November 1, Christophe Parcot, who has served as Yahoo’s interim lead of EMEA, will take on a new role with Yahoo focused on expanding its business in the region.

“Dawn is well known for her visionary thinking, operational discipline and leadership skills, and I can’t wait to work with her as we position Yahoo! for growth throughout the EMEA region,” said de Castro.

“I’d like to thank Christophe for his leadership of the past one and a half years. Together with Dawn’s direction and energy, I’m confident that the future is bright for Yahoo in EMEA.”

Commenting on her appointment, Airey said: “It is great to be joining Yahoo, especially at such an exciting point in time. To be part of the Yahoo renaissance was simply irresistible for me and I am very much looking forward to driving change, innovation and growth for the EMEA region.”

Airey has worked in television for 30 years and has held senior positions in the majority of the commercial broadcasters in the UK. Most recently, she was President of a unit of RTL Group. She joined in September 2010 from the Broadcaster Five where, as Chairman and CEO, she oversaw all operations.

Previously she was Managing Director of Global Content at ITV where she oversaw its UK and International production and content businesses. Prior to that she was managing director, channels & services, at BSkyB. She has also held senior posts at Channel 4.