XLMedia names Leigh as new chief information officer

In his new role, Leigh will be responsible for defining XLMedia’s long-term technology roadmap, leading its technology vision and driving value creation across its portfolio of publishing websites.

Leigh joins XLMedia having most recently served as chief digital technology officer at UK multimedia organisation JPIMedia for two and a half years.

At JPIMedia, Leigh oversaw a reshaping of the organisation’s digital assets, structures and commercial propositions, including rebuilding its entire technology stack.

Prior to this, he spent almost four years with media business Johnston Press and prior to that, almost nine years with Telegraph Media Group.

“I am very pleased to be welcoming Nigel to XLMedia’s leadership team,” XLMedia chief executive Stuart Simms said. “Nigel’s hiring is a key part of our continued commitment to become a more data-driven business, build faster and more efficient operations and to forge closer links with our consumers.”

The appointment comes after XLMedia last month forecast a year-on-year revenue growth for its 2021 financial year, despite expecting “ongoing weakness” in its European casino business.

Revenue is likely to reach between $65m (£47m/€55m) and $70m, with the lower end of this estimation representing an 18.2% year-on-year increase on the $55m posted in 2020, and the upper end of the forecast a 27.3% rise.