Hearst Magazines Europe, the leading premium content and experience business, has announced in a statement the strategic changes to better align its four owned and operated markets to deliver a joined-up approach: ‘One Hearst Europe’, which consists of the UK, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

The changes have been implemented by President, Hearst Magazines Europe, James Wildman. This is the first step in restructuring the European business which has market-leading brands and highly valuable audiences, to transform it into a more collaborative, future-facing media company. The changes will leverage the scale of Hearst Magazines Europe and will drive more aligned initiatives.

The European strategy will focus on three key commercial pillars: digital acceleration, revenue diversification and growing print share.

‘One Hearst Europe’ will operate through a cross-market structure that’s organised by function instead of country. Teams will continue to operate in their respective markets and manage separate country P&Ls with Country Managers leading efforts locally. However, there will be a move to four stronger and more collaborative European business divisions which will share best practice and drive partnership between markets.

The four European divisions will be:

• Central Operations led by Claire Blunt, CFO/COO, Hearst UK, who will become Chief Financial, Operations & Data Officer (CFODO)
• Content and Consumer (B2C) led by Giacomo Moletto, CEO Western Europe, who will become Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Marketing Solutions (B2B) led by James Wildman in the interim, alongside his overall European responsibilities
• People Team (Human Resources) led by Surinder Simmons, Chief People Officer (CPO), Hearst UK, who will become Chief People Officer, Hearst Europe

James Wildman, President, Hearst Europe, commented: “I am beyond proud to be leading Hearst Magazines Europe into this exciting new decade. I’m also delighted to unveil a new organisational structure that will underpin our future success across the region. By aligning our exceptional talent across our markets, we will become even more innovative and effective.”