Informa Markets strengthens leadership team with 2 senior appointments

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Event organiser, Informa Markets, has announced the appointments of Mark Temple-Smith as chief operating officer (COO) of the company, and Nancy Walsh as president of its fashion business, which includes leading brands such as MAGIC, COTERIE, PROJECT and PROJECT WOMENS. Both will be part of the company’s senior management team.

Temple-Smith has over 20 years’ experience in the international exhibitions industry, most recently as president of the Informa Markets Fashion portfolio. Here, he worked with the fashion team to implement a strategy to revitalise the business and return it to growth. In 2019 this led to the successful implementation of Fashion GAP, a three-year targeted improvement programme.

Prior to Informa, Mark managed a number of major, international exhibitions brands within Canon Communications, ITE Group, and Tarsus.

In his new role as COO, Mark will be responsible for developing and expanding the way Informa Markets delivers upon its promise to become a true market maker for customers and the specialist markets it serves.

Walsh joins Informa Markets from international events design and delivery group, Freeman, where she held the position of SVP brand experience.

She will succeed Temple-Smith in the role of president in January 2020.

Before joining Freeman, Walsh was president of North America, Reed Exhibitions, having worked her way up through the business over a 32-year career that, amongst other things, included leading a number of consumer-focused shows in the retail space, including the JCK jewellery show, the National Hardware Show and the PGA Merchandise Show for golf industry professionals.

Informa Markets CEO Charlie McCurdy said: “Nancy brings a wealth of experience in running a large-scale, international exhibitions business, with a successful track record of driving revenue growth through creating new brand experiences for customers. It’s testament to the reputation we have within our industry that we’re able to attract such outstanding talent to our already strong team.” 

Walsh said: “I’m excited to join an international business with such a strong portfolio of high-quality specialist brands, committed to investing in developing new technology and innovative digital solutions for its customers. This is especially important in the fast-paced and highly international fashion industry, where the needs of consumers – and therefore exhibition customers – is ever changing.

“I’m looking forward to building upon the great work by Mark and the team and getting to know our customers better, to understand how we can best provide support in helping them to achieve their year-round priorities and goals.”

Temple-Smith said: “At Informa Markets, we are always looking for more effective ways to deliver products and services that meet the needs of our customers. Working alongside a talented team in our Fashion business, we helped to strengthen the global community of brands and retailers. In my new role, I look forward to continuing to support the Fashion business and Nancy, whilst applying my experience more broadly across many more of our specialist markets worldwide.”

Molly Hookings
Author: Molly Hookings

Molly joined the editorial team in March 2019. She has several years’ experience working in broadcast and journalism, as well as marketing and PR. Past experience includes working for the BBC and independent publishing houses. If you have a story you think Molly might be interested in, please email: molly@eventindustrynews.com