Highbury Entertainment Welcomes New Managing Director
Highbury Entertainment has announced the return of Mike Frey to the UK to succeed Mark Simpson as managing director following a three-year stint heading the company’s Australian division.
The move will give Frey responsibility for Highbury Entertainment Bournemouth, formerly Paragon Publishing, Highbury Entertainment London and Highbury Entertainment Business. He will take up his post on 22 September after Simpson moves on to become chief executive of Highbury House Communications.
Frey brings an impressive list of previous experience to his new position, having notched up a series of successes in consumer specialist publishing with Haymarket, Emap and Future Publishing. The new role will see more responsibility than ever heaped upon the new managing director’s shoulders, as he retains responsibility for the Highbury’s Australian operations, but leaving Steve Maidens in charge as his deputy while he runs Highbury Entertainment in the UK.
Commenting on Frey’s return to Britain, Mark Simpson said: “I am delighted to announce that Mike Frey has agreed to return to the UK to succeed me as Managing Director of Highbury Entertainment Ltd. Mike clearly already has a detailed knowledge of our business, staff, markets and products. He brings with him a wealth of experience and success in consumer specialist publishing.”
He added: “Mike’s close knowledge of our business and markets will mean that the current strong business momentum in this division can be retained. He will also play a key role in assisting me and the Highbury senior management in re-focusing the Group’s interests and building a strong base for future growth and success.”
Highbury recently announced impressive financial results for the first half of the year, despite difficult trading conditions. The publisher predicted that pre-tax profits for the first six months of 2004 would be up 27% year-on-year, spurred on by expected improvements in advertising revenue (see Highbury House Profits Expected To Rise By 27%).
Highbury House Communications: www.hhc.co.uk
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