London—Simon Foster, CEO of UBM’s European operations, is stepping down immediately to pursue a new opportunity, it was announced November 14.
Foster was the London-based CEO of UBM EMEA and also led the integration of Advanstar Communications as the interim head of UBM Americas. He had been with UBM since 1998. “Simon’s contribution to the company has been significant,” said UBM plc CEO Tim Cobbold. “I thank him warmly for this contribution and wish him well in the future.”
Foster’s new plans were not revealed and there was no immediate announcement of who would take over the top spot at UBM EMEA, which organizes trade shows in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The UBM EMEA team will report to Cobbold as the company organizes a plan to replace Foster. An interim CEO selected from in-house candidates was expected to be named in the near future, the company said.
Foster held a series of executive positions prior to taking over as CEO of UBM Live in 2008. UBM Live has since been renamed UBM EMEA. Previously, Foster led UBM’s Mexico and Brazil operations plus its Connect and Canon divisions, all of which are now part of UBM Americas. Foster played a lead role in the integration of Canon Communications in 2010 and took on the same role with the blockbuster acquisition of Advanstar Communications after Sally Shankland departed in July 2015.
“The decision to leave UBM was far from easy as I feel passionately about the business and its people; however after nearly 20 years I am ready for a new challenge,” Foster said in a statement issued by UBM.
UBM EMEA organizes a portfolio of trade shows in 23 nations and seven industry sectors, including technology, food processing and pharmaceuticals.
Reach Tim Cobbold at +44 (0) 20 7921 5000 or tim.cobbold@ubm.com; Simon Foster at +44 (0) 20 7921 5000 or simon.foster@ubm.com.
