FT names Hughes as global commercial director

by Staff, Brand Republic 03-Nov-06, 11:00

LONDON - The Financial Times has promoted Ben Hughes, its worldwide ad director, to the new position of global commercial director and deputy CEO.

In his new role, Hughes, who joined the FT in 1983, will continue to run the FT's global advertising operations, but will also be responsible for FT Conferences and the FT Research Centre, the company's international research service.

Jayne Van Hoen, who runs the FT's global conferences operation, will report to Hughes as will Robert Santiago, who heads up the FT Research Centre. Hughes will work closely with the FT's regional managing directors and continues to report to CEO John Ridding.

Ridding said: "Ben's new role will enable us to coordinate our relationships with key clients even more effectively, ensuring that we provide the best possible levels of service for them and that we're better placed to take advantage of new business opportunities."

In a separate move, Frances Brindle has been promoted from marketing director for the EMEA region to global marketing director.

Brindle joined the FT earlier this year and led the recent pitch that resulted in the appointment of DDB London as the FT's advertising agency. She will also report to Ridding and will work closely with the FT's regional marketing directors to ensure global consistency for branding, audience measurement and customer support.

Ridding said: "Frances has already been playing a vital role in managing our new advertising campaign and it makes sense for her to extend that co-ordinating role to our marketing activities and needs on a global basis. I'm delighted to appoint her to this new position."

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