Global has announced Simon Pitts will succeed Stephen Miron as CEO from Q1 of next year.
Pitts joins Global from television company STV, where he has been CEO since 2018. Before that, he spent 17 years at ITV, seven of which were on the broadcaster’s executive board.
While leading STV, Pitts was responsible for diversifying the company’s revenues and business operations to include a new streaming service and studios group.
STV announced on Tuesday that Pitts would be departing the company. The announcement came on the day the broadcaster reported a 69% decline in pre-tax profits in its fiscal year 2023 financial report. STV’s total group revenue increased 22%, but total advertising revenue fell 12% amid a “weak” linear ad market.
Miron announced last week that he would be stepping down after 16 years at the helm. He will become Global’s chairman.
“I’m delighted to be joining Global, a company I admire and whose brands I’ve been a fan of for a long time,” said Pitts. “It is unique in the market to have such a diversified portfolio, with digital, audio and outdoor combined with some of the best-loved radio stations in the UK, bringing with it an incredible connection to its audiences.
“It’s also an amazing opportunity to work in a founder-led business that is creative, innovative and still thinks of itself as a challenger despite its commercial success.”
Miron added: “After 16 years as group CEO at Global, it’s time to hand over the baton to someone who can help take the company to the next level. I can’t think of anyone better or more suited for this role than Simon. I have every confidence that he will be an exceptional leader and I’m really looking forward to working with Simon in my new role as chairman as we look towards the next phase of Global’s growth.”
Pitts’ exact start date has not yet been announced, but it will be during the first quarter of 2025.
