CPM appoints Karen Jackson as MD

CPM International, the UK and Europe’s largest sales development agency, has announced two key changes to its international management structure.

With effect from 1 January 2014, CPM UK managing director Martin Ryan will assume the role of European business development director. This will be a short-term responsibility; from July 2014 he will relocate to Singapore, taking up the position of Regional Business Development Director, Asia Pacific.

The role of CPM UK managing director will be filled on 1 January 2014 by the company’s current deputy managing director Karen Jackson – who will also retain her existing responsibilities as European Managing Director for CPM’s contact centre businesses.

Having joined the company in 2000 as sales and marketing director CPM UK, Martin Ryan became managing director, CPM Ireland in 2005, returning the company’s UK head office as its managing director in 2010. Under his leadership, CPM UK has enjoyed year-on-year commercial success, reaching a peak turnover in excess of £100m. CPM UK has also received multiple industry awards – including numerous FMBE wins.

Commenting on his move Martin Ryan said: “It’s been immensely gratifying to be part of CPM’s continued success in the UK, and I’m excited to be taking on new challenges in regions where we see huge business potential – both for CPM and our global clients.”

After joining CPM UK in 1999, Karen Jackson has worked within most of the company’s divisions – including field sales, contact centres and CPM’s logistics and distribution business. During that time she has led key relationships with global brand clients. She created CPM’s Sales Academy and is responsible for the company’s contact centre business in Barcelona. Joining CPM’s UK Board in 2006, she was appointed deputy managing director at the start of this year.

Karen Jackson said: “Martin is handing over the reins at a time when the company is having a creative bonanza. We’ve got world-class people, passionately adding insight that’s driving sales for world-class brands. And the opportunities just keep coming, so I’m delighted to have the chance to build on his success from 2014.”

Mike Hughes, chief executive officer of CPM Europe added: “I know that in their new roles Martin and Karen will develop and strengthen our leadership position in the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific region. I’d like to congratulate them on their brilliant leadership records and on taking CPM into its next exciting phase of development.”