Ruth Carter meets Hugh Jones: superpowers, Hollywood and data science Ruth Carter, guest editor of EW sister publication Exhibition News , speaks to Hugh Jones, who took over as CEO at Reed Exhibitions in February 2020.
Despite Hugh Jones’ long, hard-hitting and impressive corporate career, the last decade being within RELX leading data, compliance and technology-based businesses, it was still a surprise to the exhibition industry when he was appointed chief executive of Reed Exhibitions in February 2020. The industry embraces new, fresh blood that thinks differently, especially those with data and technology roots. But that is usually offset by a deep-seated belief that ‘outsiders’ will not understand the intangibility and uniqueness of exhibitions in a way that a long-serving industry expert will have. So, Jones’ appointment at the helm of one of the biggest and most influential global companies in our sector sent ripples through the community.