Dear Members,
2018-19 Season
With the last days of August and the Bank Holiday upon us, I hope you have all still enjoying a fine summer.
A reminder that our season commences on Wednesday, September 5th with the CEO of the FT, John Ridding, as our first guest speaker. John started his career at the FT in 1988 as a journalist, before his promotion to the role of Chief Executive in 2006. He took the bold and at the time unfashionable decision to maintain a hard paywall and adopt a subscription-led model, a move now vindicated by the FT’s record, paid readership levels. With the Cairncross Review of press sustainability in full swing, with the full report of the Fake News Select Committee due and with a government white paper on digital regulation in preparation, we should all be keen to hear what John has to say. Places are still available
and booking is open, either online or via Clare.
Looking ahead, with the next date for the diary, I’m pleased to announce our speaker on October 3rd is Omar Abbosh, recently named as Accenture’s Group Chief Executive for Communications, Media & Technology and formerly Accenture’s Chief Strategy Officer. Omar has directed the company’s
innovation programmes and investments, run its corporate citizenship initiatives and served on Accenture’s Global Management Committee. He will have unique perspectives on innovation, technology and organisational transformation. More details will follow shortly and the website is
open for bookings.
So, do book now to hear John Ridding and I hope to see many of you on September 5th.
Best wishes,
Phil Smith
Chair 2018-2019
MGGB