Informa Markets has announced the appointment of Michael Duck as Executive Vice President – Commercial Development, Informa Markets, effective 4 January 2021. The Informa Markets business is made up of over 450 brands, including JEWELLERY & GEM FAIR, MARINTEC CHINA, FURNITURE CHINA, CBME, CPhI and HOTELEX, delivering event solutions through physical, digital and hybrid experiences, audience and media solutions that help customers reach targeted and qualified audiences, marketplace solutions, content and data.
Duck joined the business in 1994 and has worked in various leadership roles, focused on building up the company’s presence in the Asia region, especially in China and India, and expanding events into the Middle East and Africa. He founded and chaired the Asia, Middle East and Africa and Sustainability chapters for events industry body UFI, before spending 10 years overseeing the Cruise and Beauty verticals in the United States. Most recently, Duck has overseen Sinoexpo, and the Informa Markets Leather, Food, Beauty and Maritime products in Asia.
In this newly created role, Duck will work across the global Informa Markets business, which spans 30+ international markets, acting as the main point of contact for building relationships and a pipeline of growth activity in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and beyond, through M&A and the internationalisation of products and brands. He will also support the wider Informa Group divisions, including Pharma Intelligence and Academic Publishing, with commercial activity in Asia.
Informa Markets CEO, Charlie McCurdy, said: “Michael has been instrumental in building up the company’s presence across the globe and he holds important relationships with industry partners, government bodies and venue partners. I have every confidence that he is uniquely positioned to act as our global point of contact for commercial development.”
Duck said: “Informa has evolved into a digital business with strong physical assets – and this is something our customers are excited about exploring. Our products help our customers to grow their businesses. We are ready to forge new relationships in both our existing markets and through expanding into new geographies and verticals.”
