Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (LON:BMY), the leading independent publisher, has announced the appointment of Keith Underwood as Chief Financial and Operating Officer, reporting to Chief Executive, Nigel Newton. Keith will join Bloomsbury on 2nd February 2026 enabling an orderly transition with the current Group Finance Director, Penny Scott-Bayfield. Keith will join the Board of Directors of Bloomsbury.
Keith Underwood has had a highly successful career in the media industry and has extensive experience in developing and delivering digital and international growth strategies. He has successfully led a broad range of finance, commercial, strategic and technology-related business functions, and this expanded role on the Bloomsbury Board utilises his breadth of experience.
Keith joins Bloomsbury from Guardian Media Group (GMG) where he is Chief Financial and Operating Officer, and was previously Interim CEO. He joined GMG in June 2020 as an Executive Member of the Board with responsibility for financial stewardship, operational performance and helping to shape the strategic direction of the group. Before GMG, Keith worked at Channel 4 as Chief Financial and Operating Officer and spent more than eight years on the Executive Committee. Prior to joining Channel 4, he was employed by Discovery Networks International, Sky and PwC. Keith is a Chartered Accountant.
Keith is a Board member of Digital Catapult, a digital technology innovation organisation which helps businesses grow by applying advanced digital technology. He has previously served as chairman of Freeview and a Board Director of Digital UK and YouView.
Nigel Newton, Founder & Chief Executive of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, commented,
“I am greatly looking forward to working with Keith and benefiting from his significant media, finance, operations and AI expertise. He joins as Bloomsbury grasps the huge opportunity of Artificial Intelligence, licencing content for significant future revenue while increasing operational efficiency. Keith has the perfect experience to help deliver these ambitions for Bloomsbury and its shareholders.
Penny Scott-Bayfield has been a wonderful colleague, I thank her for her huge contribution to Bloomsbury and shall miss her greatly.”
Keith Underwood, incoming Chief Financial & Operating Officer, commented,
“I am delighted to be joining Nigel Newton and his team at Bloomsbury. Bloomsbury has achieved hugely impressive growth with an increasingly diversified, high-quality portfolio distributed across more geographies, in more formats than ever before. In a dynamic media market, with rapid technological transformation, I look forward to working as part of the Bloomsbury team to harness new opportunities and deliver sustained success in the years ahead.”
