Leadership team
Lead by example is an often referenced but largely ignored phrase in the world of business. But at Mark Allen our leaders really do walk the walk. How do we know? Because many of them have risen through the ranks within the company and are therefore engrained in our values and aspirations. We think they’re quite an inspiring bunch.
Mark Allen
Mark Allen is the executive chairman of the Mark Allen Group, which he founded in 1985, having bought two medical magazines in a management buyout. Today the group has more than 100 brands in many different sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, dentistry, education, social care, manufacturing, engineering, aviation, auto, critical communications, music and leisure – and is actively involved in exhibitions and conferences. Mark has recently written his first novel, Life Term, which is to be published in March 2021.
Ben Allen
Ben Allen is the Chief Executive Officer of the Mark Allen Group. Ben joined the Mark Allen Group in 2005 as commercial director, following a career as a corporate lawyer at Linklaters and US law firm, Hunton & Williams. He has held several management positions at the group, including MD of MA Education, MD of MA Healthcare and Chief Operating Officer, before he became Chief Executive Officer in April 2012. Ben has a degree in Industrial Economics from Nottingham University and a Graduate Diploma in Law from City, University of London. He is passionate about playing and watching sport, and a supporter of Fulham Football Club.
Jon Benson
Jon Benson is the chief operating officer of the Mark Allen Group, having previously been the managing director of MA Business and MA Healthcare. In his current position he has operational control for the MA Business & MA Education divisions and oversees the integration of all new brand acquisitions into the company. Jon joined the Mark Allen Group in 2004 as sales executive of SecEd. Since this time, Jon has worked in management roles in several areas of the group, including as group commercial director.
Brian Goodridge
Brian joined the Mark Allen Group in October 2001 when it purchased its head office in Herne Hill London and acquired an office furniture interiors company which it subsequently closed. Brian worked as an accountant for this division as well as for one of the group’s subsidiaries. In 2005 Brian became chief accountant for the group before moving into his current position of group financial director in 2012.
Katina Toumba
Katina joined the Mark Allen Group in 1989 having previously worked at the BBC. She has been involved in various aspects of publishing and event organisation during the group's development, including new initiatives and acquisitions, and takes a special interest in its people. As operations director, Katina takes an active role in supporting the management team as well as managing the facilities, operational and business requirements of the group.
Ravi Chandiramani
Ravi Chandiramani is the Managing Director of MA Education. Ravi joined Mark Allen in October 2011 as part of an acquisition from Haymarket Media Group, where he worked as a journalist and editor for 12 years across publications in business, marketing and children’s services. During his time at Mark Allen, he has progressed from editor to publisher, publishing director and MD. The education division comprises leading brands in the early years, teaching and social care sectors. Ravi is also responsible for promoting editorial skills and standards across the group.
Anthony Kerr
Anthony is Managing Director of MA Healthcare and joined the Mark Allen Group in 2005 after owning his own business, along with working in international finance. Anthony has held various management positions and directorships for the group. He has been a part of many new business ventures and developed two distinct divisions in medical education and nurse-led events. Anthony has been integral to global development of wound care as the publisher for Journal of Wound care for the last nine years. He's also the chairman of Wound Care for Heroes, a successful UK veteran's charity.
Tim Willoughby
Tim Willoughby is the Managing Director of MA Exhibitions. Tim joined Mark Allen in 2020, having previously been the COO of Ocean Media Group. Tim brings over 20 years of experience in media and events with a strong track record of building business success through the creation and continued development of high performing teams within entrepreneurial and motivational cultures. From Education and Law, to Technology and Retail, Tim’s career has spanned many sectors, and he has worked for FTSE 100, P.E. backed, and privately owned businesses.
Dan Smith
Dan Smith is the Managing Director of MA Agriculture, including flagship brand Farmers Weekly. In February 2020 he was part of the leadership team responsible for the sale of Farmers Weekly to Mark Allen. Prior to joining, Dan held various commercial roles at RELX Group with brands including New Scientist, Estates Gazette and Community Care. Following further acquisitions of brands including Pig World and Poultry Business he is responsible for developing and executing on a strategy to create a sustainable and profitable future for the business.
Susan Allen
The wife of Mark and the mother of Ben, Sue has been instrumental in the success of the Mark Allen Group since the family company was formed 33 years ago. A graduate in French and German at Durham University, where she met Mark, Sue had a rewarding career in education, first teaching languages in secondary schools and then as a primary school teacher. Sue was a trustee of Farms for City Children, a charity founded by the author Sir Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare.
Peter Rigby
Peter is a non-executive director of the Mark Allen Group and the former chief executive of Informa Plc. During his 30-year tenure with Informa, which became a quoted company in 1998, Peter oversaw spectacular growth, with revenues increasing from £50 million to £1.2 billion. It is now an established FTSE 100 company. After leaving Informa at the end of 2013, Peter has taken on a number of non-executive positions. A graduate in economics from Manchester University and a qualified accountant, Peter is a sports enthusiast, in particular rugby and cricket.
Keith Gapp
Keith Gapp is presently a consultant across a range of activities, and a partner of M&A boutique, Caurus Partners. From 2007-2015, he was a member of the Executive Committee of EFG International, a listed private bank, responsible for strategy, marketing, and communications. Prior to this, from 1999, he was the founder and managing partner of strategy consulting boutique, GMQ. This followed 13 years with Barclays Bank, where he undertook a number of business management, finance, and corporate banking roles. Keith read economics at King's College, University of Cambridge.