Ann: Isentia 2018 Annual Report, page-5

Isentia builds out executive team for future strength
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14th Nov 2018

Isentia Group Limited (ASX:ISD) announces three senior appointments to its executive leadership team to accelerate product enhancement, operational efficiencies and support ongoing transformation.

Following an extensive search, Paul Russell has been appointed Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Kelly Young Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Peter McClelland Chief Financial Officer (CFO).Ed Harrison, Isentia Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, said the new leadership will bring fresh perspectives to the business as it continues to innovate.

“The demand for media intelligence continues to grow in size and complexity. We want to move faster and meet the evolving needs of our clients through innovation, and to do that, we need a strong leadership team that can bring all the pieces together. We’re delighted to have secured such high-quality talent, bringing a broad range of skills, business acumen and industry experience that will be critical to our future success,” Mr Harrison said.

“Isentia has a longstanding reputation as a technology leader and, with a new leadership team in place, we have the opportunity to cement our position as the leading media intelligence company in Asia-Pacific. Paul, Peter and Kelly are proven and well-respected leaders who bring fresh perspectives and new capabilities that will positively impact our products, our clients and our people.”

Paul Russell was most recently CTO at Yahoo7, where he transformed the technology function of the business, building innovative products while reducing costs. He has held numerous CIO and technology leadership roles at companies including Salmat, Network Ten and Fairfax Digital. He joined Isentia on 7 November 2018.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Russell said: “This is an exciting time to join Isentia. I’m looking forward to working with Ed and the rest of the team to accelerate the digital transformation of our services and have the opportunity to progress how we do business in the future.”

Kelly Young joins from Bauer Media where she held the role of People and Culture Director. She has deep experience on the frontline of business transformation and in building performance cultures. Having held numerous senior HR roles in various divisions at Fairfax Media, Ms Young has also led numerous organisational development programs. She will join Isentia on 7 January 2019.

On her appointment, Ms Young said: "I am thrilled to be joining Ed and the Isentia team and delighted to be working alongside some great people."

Peter McClelland has many years’ experience in finance, operations and strategy across a range of industry sectors, including market-leading media and retail companies. He was most recently CFO at Velocity Frequent Flyers, and previously held roles as CFO and COO at out-of-home advertising company oOh! Media and CFO at Luxottica Group. He will join Isentia on 18 February 2019.

Mr McClelland said: “I am excited to be joining the Asia Pacific region’s leading media intelligence company. I look forward to working with Ed and his team, and bringing my financial, operational and strategic expertise to effect change, and build growth in the business.”

Note to Editors:
Paul Russell – Chief Technology Officer
Mr Russell has spent the last 15 years leading technology teams and building consumer and business-facing digital products. His experience spans small start-ups, scale ups, and larger enterprises in fast-moving, high-change businesses; encompassing marketplaces, software as a service, and media.

Most recently he was the CTO of Yahoo7, a joint venture between Yahoo Inc and Seven West Media. Here, he led a technology transformation that delivered a highly productive web delivery platform, while reducing costs and delivering market-leading products. Prior to Yahoo7, he was the Managing Director of SoftwareSeni, a blended onshore/offshore software development business, Executive GM of Technology and Delivery at Salmat Marketing Services, and CIO at Fairfax Digital.

Kelly Young – Chief Human Resources Officer
Ms Young is a senior HR professional with deep experience on the frontline of business transformation and a focus on building performance cultures within companies.

She was most recently People and Culture Director at Bauer Media, where she overhauled employee experience by building leadership and change programs. She was able to create a culture of collaboration through mentoring and people initiatives, while supporting the widespread transformation of the business. Ms Young also held numerous HR roles at Fairfax Media across key brands including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review and digital brand teams. Following the 2013 formation of the Australian Publishing Media – grouping the leading metropolitan and regional products nationally – Ms Young continued to build culture and talent to meet the needs of an ever-changing media business.

Peter McClelland – Chief Financial Officer
Mr McClelland is an experienced CFO and COO with a strong track record in leading strategy and change in Australia, Asia and South Africa. He has expertise in business development, M&A, company performance and leadership from a range of industry sectors, including leading media and retail companies. He was previously CFO and COO at leading out-of-home advertising company, oOh! Media, where he was instrumental in building the scale and diversity of the business, ahead of its ASX listing process.

Prior to this role, Mr McClelland was Chief Financial and Administration Officer for Asia Pacific and South Africa at Luxottica, the world’s largest manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of optical and sunglass products. Most recently, he was CFO at Velocity Frequent Flyer.

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