Global drafts in chief to drive data and adtech overhaul

Media and entertainment giant Global, whose business stretches from commercial radio to outdoor advertising, is aiming to bolster its data, adtech and AI services to brands with the appointment of a new chief technology officer.

Alex Duncan is joining in September from the British Heart Foundation, where she has worked as CTO since 2022, leading a team of more than 350 with a major focus on how AI can enhance the charity’s impact and mission.

Prior to joining the BHF, Duncan she was CTO of Ambassador Theatre Group and previously director of IT at international shopping channel QVC.

She was also head of online development for lastminute.com, having started her career as a software engineer at the firm and worked her way up.

At Global, she will become a member of the company’s board and report directly to group CEO Simon Pitts.

Duncan will oversee Global’s 200-strong tech team, spanning broadcast engineering, commercial and adtech, cyber security, data infrastructure and analytics and enterprise systems.

Formed in 2007, Global is one of the largest commercial radio companies in Europe having expanded through a number of historical acquisitions, including Chrysalis Radio, GCap Media and GMG Radio. It owns and operates seven core radio brands, all employing a national network strategy, including Capital, Heart, Smooth, Radio X, Gold, Classic FM and LBC.

Global is also one of the Europe’s leading out-of-home advertising companies, operating over 253,000 sites across the UK and mainland Europe, with a portfolio that includes roadside posters, premium digital screens, and airport advertising, reaching over 95% of the UK population.

The company recently launched its new eight-year advertising contract with Transport for London by ushering in what is claimed to be the biggest transformation of London Underground’s advertising estate in its history.

Dubbed “The Greatest Show Under Earth”, the media owner will install more than 1,000 new digital screens, roll out world-first immersive formats, and launch Access All Audiences – a new audience planning and measurement tool designed to supercharge outcomes for advertisers.

Pitts said: “This is a critical role, where technology, innovation and building brilliant products is very much in our DNA.

“Alex brings over two decades of deep technical expertise, leadership and a real passion for media. She has led large-scale, transformative projects with great success and knows how to build exciting products, while her recent successful delivery of a significant organisation-wide transformation at the BHF has demonstrated both leadership and vision.

“She’s also no stranger to audio, having launched the UK arm of streaming station PulseRadio 25 years ago. We’re very excited to have Alex on board.”

Duncan added: “Global has incredible ambition and technology has driven exciting innovation, in both audio and outdoor media. This opportunity is a perfect convergence of my early love for radio and my passion for using technology to drive meaningful change. I’m really looking forward to working with the brilliant teams at Global.”