Target CEO Steps Down, New MD Appointed

LONDON: Target Entertainment founder Alison Rayson has stepped down from her position as CEO, with Emmanuelle Namiech appointed to the managing director position.

Rayson, who had been with the company for 13 years, decided to leave to explore new ventures, although she will continue to work on specific projects with the company. Following last year’s sale to Metrodome Group, she has worked closely with Metrodome Group’s chairman and CEO, Mark Webster, to fill the managing director role and to continue Target’s growth in the U.K. and internationally.

As managing director, Namiech will work with Webster and the management team at Target to expand the company’s core business of international rights management. Prior to her new role, Namiech was the senior VP of global content at FremantleMedia Enterprises, and prior to that was the director of acquisitions and co-productions at ITV Studios Global Entertainment.

Rayson commented, “It has been an incredibly tough decision to make, but also a positive and amicable decision. I am proud of how far Target has come since I founded it 13 years ago, but now feel ready to explore new opportunities in my professional life. I’m happy leaving the company in a strong commercial position and in the hands of an incredibly capable new MD.”

Webster added: “Alison not only founded the company but has built it up over 13 successful years and after Metrodome Group took over Target in 2010, Alison has continued to show energy, initiative and commitment to her and our business. She will be missed greatly by us, but we appreciate that the time is right for her to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere. We are delighted to welcome an MD of Emmanuelle’s calibre to Target and look forward to working with her to further expand the company. Emmanuelle will be taking over the day to day running of the business on Alison’s departure and there will be handover with the business continuing as normal going forward.”