Sullens will head up the events portfolio at Future, which includes the Classic Ford Show, T3 Gadget Awards, High Voltage Festival and Hammerfest. He will be taking on a creative role to explore market opportunities for new conferences, forums and exhibitions at Future.
"I’ve got a blank piece of paper to talk to the Future teams and understand where there are gaps in the market and our portfolio," Sullens told Event.
A replacement for Sullens is yet to be decided. UBM Live said it would be announcing his successor in the coming weeks.
Sullens said he wasn’t looking to leave UBM, but when the opportunity came up at Future he couldn’t resist. "Future already has a great awards portfolio and I’m really excited about growing its other live events."
Mark Wood, chief executive of Future, says: "Future engages with passionate and specialist audiences in many areas and we want to extend that engagement with B2B and consumer events.
"We see this area as a significant new revenue opportunity for the company. Jonny has the perfect combination of energy and experience to head up this exciting new business at Future – I’m delighted to have him coming aboard."
Simon Parker, managing director of UBM, said: "We can’t thank Jonny enough for the massive contribution he has made to his show products. Over the past five years he has had a dramatic influence in securing the long-term future of the shows and given us a strong platform for further growth.
"Leisure Industry Week remains a flagship show for UBM Live and one that continues to enjoy phenomenal success in its industry. Meanwhile, International Confex continues to be both the market leading exhibition in the meetings and events industry and one of its most powerful brands."
Last month, International Confex as part of its three-year vision for the exhibition, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2013. It will encompass networking events, meetings, AGMs, hospitality and live events. This year’s show takes place on 19-21 March 2013 at Excel.
James Samuel, event manager for International Confex and Live Experience, added: "This is a really exciting period for both shows. The launch of Confex Week earlier in the summer has also given us the perfect platform to build on our existing partnerships both within and outside the industry and to expand new ones."
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