Senior leaders on the move – Center Parcs UK & Ireland, Hotelplan, OMD EMEA, and Wematch.live
The recruitment market for senior marketing and digital leaders remains highly competitive in 2025, as companies continue to pursue change and transformation agendas, with marketing and digital now clearly being viewed as the engine for growth. Unsurprisingly, there’s an increased demand for senior marketing leaders with previous transformation experience, along with a deep understanding of emerging technologies such as AI. While our pipeline of new roles is very strong, which is brilliant news for our candidates, it’s a highly competitive job market and remains a challenge for candidates to be selected for client interviews.
We’re delighted to congratulate the following leaders in the wider marketing industry who have moved, or are about to move, into exceptional new roles.
Sara Holt, CMO, Center Parks UK & Ireland
Congratulations to Sara Holt who will be joining Center Parcs UK & Ireland as CMO in March. Sara is a visionary customer-first senior marketing leader who builds teams, capability and brands that deliver revenue and EBITDA growth. Her extensive experience spans some of the world’s biggest entertainment and leisure businesses, driving large scale business change in matrix organisations and cross categories.
Previous roles include more than five years at Merlin Entertainments, including the Group Marketing & Sales Director (UK & Europe) role; Digital Marketing Director at LEGO Group; and four years at BBC Worldwide, including the VP, Group Franchise Marketing & Digital Planning role.
Sara is a Fellow of The Marketing Academy and has been included in Marketing Week’s Top 100 Most Effective Marketers for five years in a row.
When announcing her new role, Sara said, “Absolutely delighted to be joining the board at Center Parcs UK & Ireland on 17th March as CMO. When making any decision about where to go people and culture have to come first and this is a business with something very special putting people and planet at the heart of their story - alongside strong EBITDA growth and a new park to build in Scotland. Am delighted to be joining Richard Sofer, Cathryn Petchey, Katrina Jamieson, Alan Park, Colin McKinlay, and honoured to be replacing the big shoes of Colin Whaley.”
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraholt
Dean Harvey, Marketing Director, Hotelplan
Dean Harvey has been appointed Marketing Director at Hotelplan – a UK family of brands that includes Explore Worldwide, Inghams, and Santa’s Lapland. Dean is an accomplished senior marketing leader with more than 30 years’ experience in both travel and agency-side.
Previous roles include Marketing Consultant at VIP SKI; Marketing Consultant at Newmarket Holidays; Marketing Consultant at Spabreaks.com; Brand Director at Jacobs Media Group; Brand Consultant at Llama; seven years as Marketing Director at Kuoni; Digital Development Director at Designate; and Chief Commercial Officer at iCrossing.
Dean announced his new role, saying, "I’m looking forward to collaborating with the talented team at Hotelplan UK. Together, we’ll explore innovative ways to connect people with exceptional travel experiences in the great outdoors. Here’s to new beginnings and a bit of creative disruption in the travel space."
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveydean
Kathryn Middleton, Head of Marketing, Wematch.live
Kathryn Middleton has been appointed Head of Marketing at Wematch.live - helping financial institutions tackle some of their biggest challenges by digitising workflows. Kathryn is a strategic senior marketer, inspiring leader, and NED, with more than 15 years’ experience in financial advisory, sustainability, retail and professional services.
Previous roles include Managing Director at Amberside Strategic Consulting; Founder & Director of Proper Marketing; Head of Brand & Marketing at Lyco Group; Head of Strategy, Marketing & Communications at Atlantic Data; more than five years at Thorntons, including the Head of Brand & Customer Communications role; and six years at CRU, including the Head of Group Marketing role.
When sharing details of her new role, Kathryn said, "As Head of Marketing at Wematch, I’m responsible for shaping and driving a strategic marketing vision that supports our mission to transform the global securities finance market. My role encompasses a blend of strategic leadership, creative marketing, and data-driven decision-making to drive business growth and client success."
You can watch Kathryn’s inspiring Q&A with Suzie Walker, sharing her career wisdom and insights, in our Content Hub: https://suziewalkerexecutivesearch.co.uk/content/kathryn-middleton-marketing-director
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksmiddleton
Alex Ridley, Executive Director of Performance Media, OMD EMEA
Alex Ridley joins OMD EMEA – the world’s largest media network with more than 12,000 people working in over 100 countries – as Executive Director of Performance Media. Alex has extensive leadership experience, aligning cutting-edge digital marketing strategies with business goals.
Previous roles include Digital Marketing Lead (PPC, Programmatic & Affiliates) Paternity Cover at John Lewis Partnership; Paid Search Account Director at EssenceMediacom; more than five years as Paid Search Ads Consultant at ARCConsultancy; and Paid Search Performance Director at The Specialist Works, part of What’s Possible Group.
Alex announced his new role on LinkedIn with the comment, "Excited to share that I’m starting a new chapter as Executive Director, Performance Media OMD EMEA!
I’m thrilled to contribute to meaningful work and collaborate with talented colleagues to deliver excellence, further innovation, and make a real impact.
Here’s to new challenges, growth, and making a difference!"
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-ridley-837082b0
Richard Sofer, Chief Commercial Officer, Center Parcs UK & Ireland
Congratulations to Richard Sofer who joins Center Parcs UK & Ireland as Chief Commercial Officer. Richard is a talented and highly experienced commercial senior leader, bringing a wealth of travel experience to the role.
Previous roles include more than seven years at TUI, including the Commercial & Business Development Director and Managing Director Marella Cruises roles; and more than four years at glh Hotels, including the Chief Exec - every & Thistle Hotels role.
Richard was delighted to share his career update on LinkedIn, "I’m over the moon to have started my new role as Chief Commercial Officer at Center Parcs UK & Ireland.
After almost a year of consulting across a number of diverse and interesting projects, I’m delighted to have been appointed to this role with an amazing company.”
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-sofer-82a37817
If you feel ready to move towards the next stage in your career, or if you’re hiring for your team, please get in touch or connect with us/send a message on LinkedIn.
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for B2C and B2B marketing, digital and technology roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
If you’re ready to make your next move, we regularly post new opportunities on our LinkedIn company page. If you apply for a role on the platform, it requires a 1st connection for us to respond, so please make sure to connect with Suzie Walker. Our company page is also frequently updated with the latest hiring news, expert interviews, and candidate guidance, so well worth following.
