Visual media company Getty Images has announced its Board of Directors has appointed Dawn Airey to the role of chief executive officer, with effect from October 12, 2015. Co-founder and CEO, Jonathan Klein is stepping up to the role of Chairman, as announced on the company’s 20^th anniversary in March of this year.

Airey was previously senior vice president of Yahoo!’s EMEA businesses, where she led the company’s operations in the region. Prior to that she held senior leadership positions at several major UK media companies, including Chairman and CEO of Channel 5, managing director of Global Content at ITV and managing director of channels and services at BSkyB. Airey is currently part of a UK Government-selected panel charged with reviewing the BBC’s charter renewal.

Commenting on the appointment, Getty Images Co-founder and CEO Jonathan Klein said: “After 20 years at the helm, I am delighted Dawn is joining the team to drive Getty Images in its next phase of growth, innovation and industry leadership. Our new CEO is an experienced leader with a strong track record of programming and monetizing content. Dawn’s deep understanding of the consumer market and the intersection of technology and content means she is well situated to run Getty Images as it explores new opportunities within the consumer space and beyond. We could not be more excited about the future.”

Under Airey’s leadership, Getty Images looks to accelerate its progress in both its traditional businesses as well as new growth areas. Speaking on her new role, Airey said: “I have long admired Getty Images and relish the opportunity to lead this iconic global business as it continues to break new ground and propel the industry that this company has pioneered for 20 years.

“Engaging audiences through the power of visual storytelling is what I am passionate about, and, at its core, that is what Getty Images is all about: inspiring and enabling the world to tell its stories through the exceptional content the team captures each and every day. There is immense potential when it comes to marrying content with new monetization opportunities, and I cannot wait to get started. It’s a pleasure to join such a talented team and to work with Jonathan as we drive the business forward.

Co-founder and chairman Mark Getty, who assumes the role of deputy chairman, said: “The board and I are pleased to have someone of Dawn Airey’s abilities assume leadership at Getty Images. Dawn’s considerable experience in the media and consumer space, coupled with her strong understanding of programming content, means she is very well-placed to drive Getty Images forward. I am also pleased that Jonathan will be Chairman and Getty Images will continue to benefit from his knowledge and passion which he has used to such great effect during his leadership of our business through 20 remarkable years of innovation, disruption and growth.”

Airey is relocating from London to New York with her partner and two children.

Photo: Dawn Airey and Jonathan Klein. Photo credit: John Moore, Getty Images