Zillah Byng-Thorne, CEO of Future, is set to step down from her role in 2023 after serving as CEO for eight years. Byng-Thorne has informed Richard Huntingford, the chairman of the company, about her plans to retire in the latter half of next year. Future, a specialist media platform and owner of titles such as Marie Claire and Who What Wear, has already begun the search for her successor. The company expects the search to attract high-profile media applicants, according to a report by Sky News.
Aside from her position at Future, Byng-Thorne has been appointed as the deputy chair of Trustpilot, an online reviews platform. Industry insiders speculate that she may eventually replace Tim Weller, the current chairman of Trustpilot. Byng-Thorne also brings experience as a director of other listed companies, including online health and beauty products retailer THG, from which she recently resigned.
When asked for comment about Byng-Thorne’s future at Future, the company’s spokesperson declined to provide any information. However, the news of her departure comes at a time when Future is experiencing positive developments. The company has announced its satisfaction with the growing audience numbers and expects its full-year results for the period ending on September 30 to surpass expectations, reaching approximately £271 million.
Future attributes its growth to a return to organic audience growth during the latter half of the year, as Covid-related comparisons are no longer a factor. The company also credits the continued growth in digital advertising and an improved trend in affiliates as factors contributing to the resilience of its business model. Consequently, Future anticipates that its full-year adjusted operating profit will be at the higher end of market expectations. The company is scheduled to release its FY22 results on November 30.
Overall, the departure of Zillah Byng-Thorne as CEO marks the end of an era for Future. However, with a formal search already underway for her replacement and positive financial performance, Future remains optimistic about its future prospects. The media industry eagerly awaits the announcement of Byng-Thorne’s successor and the leader who will guide Future into its next chapter.
For more information on Future and its brands, visit their official website [insert link: https://www.futureplc.com/].
To learn more about Trustpilot and its services, you can visit their official website [insert link: https://www.trustpilot.com/].
