Sally Shankland Steps Down as CEO of UBM Americas
May 22, 2015
Nine months after being appointed CEO of UBM Americas, Sally Shankland will be stepping down at the end of June to pursue an opportunity in a different industry.
“Sally’s commitment to UBM has been significant. She has seen the Group transformed from a print-heavy conglomerate into an Events-focused media and communications business,” said Tim Cobbold, CEO of UBM.
He added, “Her role within this transformation has been noteworthy, particularly her long tenure as leader of our U.S. medical media assets. I thank her warmly for her contribution and wish her every success in her new role.”
Shankland joined UBM in 1988 and held successive positions in marketing, sales and management. Shankland led UBM Medica U.S.'s transition from a print-based publishing business to its position as one of the leading digital marketing services businesses serving the U.S. healthcare market.
“The decision to leave UBM was far from easy to make as I feel passionately about the organization and the people that work here,” Shankland said.
She added, “However, after 28 years, I feel I am ready for a new challenge – at a new company and in a new industry. I will look forward to watching as UBM realizes its ambition of becoming the world’s leading B2B Events organizer.”
UBM officials said they expect to find a replacement before Shankland leaves at the end of June. Until then, she will continue to fulfill her duties, including her position on the Executive Committee and the Advanstar Integration Committee.
One month after Shankland was appointed CEO of UBM Americas, UBM agreed to buy Advanstar Communications for $972 Million from hedge fund Anchorage Capital Group LLC and private equity companies Veronis Suhler Stevenson and Ares Management.
Among other shows, Advansta runs MAGIC Market Week twice a year in Las Vegas that draws 80,000 attendees.
Shankland is a graduate of UBM's Business Leaders Programme (2001 and 2011) and has completed executive development courses with Harvard Business School and Cornell University.
She graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. (Summa Cum Laude, Honors) in Social Science following being educated in Italy and Germany.
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