Reed Exhibitions names first-ever chief digital product officer

Reed Exhibitions (RX) has announced the appointment of Gaby Appleton as its first chief digital product officer.

Appleton joins RX with extensive experience in digital transformation across multiple categories.

For the past six months, she has been the product director for NHS Test and Trace in the UK, where she led the NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app, as well as assisting with building various other digital products to support the fight against coronavirus.

Prior to her secondment to the NHS, Appleton was managing director of researcher products at Elsevier, and also previously held the role of global strategy director.

Before joining Elsevier, Appleton worked at McKinsey in its climate change practice, and as a brand manager at Procter & Gamble and Sainsbury’s.

In this newly created role, Appleton will work across RX’s global business, spanning 22 countries and over 400 events.

She will be responsible for the company’s digital strategy and execution, and will also lead RX’s digital community.

Appleton will report to the company’s chief operating officer, Brian Brittain, and chief commercial officer Richard Mortimore.

RX chief executive Hugh Jones said: “Digital innovation which surrounds and enhances events is becoming mainstream, expected, and valuable. These digital solutions will both enhance and extend the value of the event marketplace.

“With Gaby’s arrival, our talent, technology and intelligence will be able to grow exponentially which, in turn, will deliver extraordinary new opportunities for our customers’ businesses.”

Commenting on her appointment, Appleton said: “I am very happy to be joining the Reed Exhibitions team at such an exciting time in its history.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead, supporting our people and our fantastic show brands to connect 365 days a year across multiple platforms.

“Now, more than ever, the power of combined face-to-face events and digital must come together to reboot and reconnect communities and sectors around the world, driving growth for all. I can’t wait to get started.”