Key executives leave as Emap B2B rings changes

by John Reynolds Media Week 20-May-08, 07:30

LONDON - Emap, the B2B publisher acquired by Guardian Media Group and Apax in March, has been hit by the departure of three senior executives - managing director Nick Morgan, director of information Ian Bissell and business development director David Westgarth.

The departures follow a review of the business by recently appointed chief executive David Gilbertson, formerly chief executive of Emap's main B2B rival Informa, who is looking to simplify the business and drive up profits by reorganising it into four renamed units. It is thought there are no plans to replace the three executives.

The B2B publisher, previously known as Emap Communications, will now be known as Emap and will be structured into four format-based divisions. Magazines will be known as Emap Inform, Exhibitions & Festivals will be named Emap Connect, Data will be called Emap Insight and Emap Networks will house its conference business.

Gilbertson said the merging of Emap with Apax-owned Incisive Media had not been ruled out, but noted there were no imminent plans to do so.

Gilbertson admitted that during a company reorganisation "you can't always accommodate everybody" and warned more departures were likely before the new structure becomes operational on 1 June.

A number of other senior managers, including Tim McGlaughlin, publishing director of Screen International, and Ben Greenish, managing director of Emap's construction brands, are also set to leave the business.

But Gilbertson denied there would be an overall reduction in Emap's headcount, pointing to new positions such as chief marketing officer, which the company is currently looking to fill.

Morgan has been with Emap for about 20 years and held a variety of roles, including managing director of Emap Business International, where he helped launch Meed.com, and managing director of Emap Healthcare, where he oversaw the relaunch of Nursing Times.

Gilbertson said: "Emap is a strong brand. It is well known in the market and there is a lot of goodwill towards it both internally and externally."