Organiser ITE has appointed a new chief executive. Nigel Stapleton took over from Lawrie Lewis on 22 January. Lewis had been chairman and chief executive since Steve Monnington's departure in May.
Stapleton is also chairman of Veronis, Suhler International, the European subsidiary of Veronis, Suhler & Associates (VSA). In October, VSA bought a 17% stake in ITE.
Stapleton was formerly co-chairman at publishing and exhibitions giant Reed Elsevier.
The appointment follows the announcement of ITE's financial results for the year ended 30 September. Pre-tax profits rose 30% to pounds 13.4m mainly because of diversification into new markets and cost management programmes. Turnover rose by 10% to pounds 38.8m compared with pounds 35.3m in 1999.
'This achievement has been made despite very difficult trading conditions in Russia following the economic crisis and in Turkey following the earthquake,' ITE chairman Lawrie Lewis said. 'Based on our growth strategy, we are looking to organise more than 325 exhibitions in 25 different countries for the coming year.'
- As Marketing Event was going to press, ITE was in the process of quantifying possible claims against 14 former employees including former chief executive Mark Shashoua and former chairman Roger Shashoua.
ITE claims breaches of exit contracts and issues of trespass against the members of Expocentres Group, part of Expo Media.
Expo Media chief executive Mark Shashoua confirms there has been 'various correspondence' and hopes to resolve the issues shortly. 'I look forward to seeing Stapleton's appointment drive ITE from strength to strength,' he said.