UBM job goes to Symbian's Levin

In a surprise move, the board of United Business Media yesterday appointed 42-year-old David Levin, the chief executive of the mobile phone software maker Symbian, to succeed Lord Hollick at the head of the publishing group with effect from next April.

In a surprise move, the board of United Business Media yesterday appointed 42-year-old David Levin, the chief executive of the mobile phone software maker Symbian, to succeed Lord Hollick at the head of the publishing group with effect from next April.

It had been widely expected that the job would go to Malcolm Wall, UBM's chief operating officer (COO).

A UBM statement pointed to Mr Levin's "extensive experience of international markets, having worked in the Far East, USA and Europe. He also has experience of media markets, having been the COO of Euromoney Institutional Investor". Geoff Unwin, UBM's chairman, said: "We have evaluated extremely strong internal candidates together with external candidates. David Levin has an impressive operational background, coupled with a record of strong strategic execution..... We have every confidence that David is the right man."

Lord Hollick said: "I am impressed by David's credentials and qualities. I feel confident that he will continue to drive United to greater heights.... He has a deep knowledge of the world of publishing and information - vital for a business such as ours."

A spokesman added that the board had always made clear that it would look within and outside the company for Lord Hollick's successor, and Mr Wall was unlucky to come up against such an outstanding candidate as Mr Levin. Mr Wall was not available for comment.