Future, the special-interest media group has today announced the appointment of Richard Schofield as Group Publishing Director heading up its Sports and Automotive portfolios.
Richard will assume responsibility for overseeing the business performance and driving the commercial strategy in Future’s successful Sports and Automotive groups. He brings significant experience in both areas having worked as Group Publisher for Automotive since 2008, and formerly as Group Publisher for Sports.
Future is the global leader in cycling content with a thriving magazine and digital business. Richard led the early expansion of Future’s cycling portfolio into digital as Publisher in 2007. Today, it is the world’s biggest cycling publisher with websites bikeradar.com and cyclingnews.com now attracting around 4m unique users a month.
More recently, in his tenure as Group Publisher for the Automotive portfolio he has successfully overseen the launch of two new events in Future’s Auto Event Series, which in 2010 has seen a 22% increase on last year’s attendances. His previous experience in the auto sector includes time as Head of Marketing for Emap’s automotive division.
Assuming the role with immediate effect, Richard will report to Future’s Chief Executive Mark Wood. He replaces Peter Stothard, Publishing Director of the Sports portfolio. Katherine Raderecht, Group Publisher for Sports, will report into Richard.
Mark Wood, Future UK’s Chief Executive said:
“Richard brings a wealth of experience and an impressive track record to a new role overseeing both our sports and automotive sectors. I see great potential to develop both print and digital businesses in this area and I know that Richard, backed by the outstanding team he now heads, will provide the kind of leadership we need to build on an already strong market position.”
Richard Schofield added:
“I am tremendously excited to be given the chance to lead both of these market-leading portfolios. I am looking forward to working with Katherine and the Sports team to accelerate the momentum in these fast growing sports markets and with the automotive team to strengthen our impressive range of events, websites and magazines.”
About Future:
Future plc is an international special-interest media group, listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events. We hold market-leading positions in games, film, music, technology, cycling, automotive and crafts. Our biggest-selling magazines include T3, Total Film, Classic Rock, Guitar World and Official Xbox Magazine. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, and techradar.com. Future sells more than 3 million magazines each month; we attract more than 20 million unique visitors to our websites; and we host 27 annual live events. In addition, Future exports or syndicates publications to 90 countries, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of monthly magazines.
For further information please contact Jen Campbell on 01225 732269 or jen.campbell@futurenet.com
