Ocean Outdoor appoints chairman and group CEO

Stephen Joseph, the chief operating and financial officer of Ocean Outdoor, has been appointed Ocean’s new group chief executive. Effective from 1 January 2025, Joseph will succeed Tim Bleakley who, after 14 years as CEO, will become chairman of the board of directors.

According to Ocean’s statement on the move, the transition to Joseph’s leadership is part of a long-planned CEO succession process.

Bleakley said it had been a privilege to lead the team for this period.

He added: “As we enter the next stage of our journey, now is the right time for a transition of leadership.

“Stephen is a proven leader with deep expertise in the outdoor advertising business, and he is the right person to lead Ocean in the company’s next phase of growth. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Stephen and the board to ensure a seamless transition and execute on our ambitious plans.”

Joseph joined Ocean as chief financial officer at the same time as Bleakley became CEO in 2009. The joint role of chief operating officer was added to Joseph's remit in 2015. Before joining Ocean, he was a manager at accountancy firm BDO UK. He also spent more than four years as assistant manager at KPMG.

Following the changeover next year, current board chair Melissa Bethell will "remain an active member of the Ocean Group board". Her exact role has not been specified.

Bethell has been chair since 2022 when Ocean delisted from the London Stock Exchange and became a partner of independent strategic investment company Atarios.

Bethell said: “On behalf of Atairos, Ocean’s majority owner, and the full Ocean board, I would like to thank Tim for his leadership and many contributions to Ocean over his tenure.

“Tim has worked closely with the full board to develop a thoughtful and robust succession plan, for which we are immensely grateful. Under Stephen’s leadership and with Tim’s continuing guidance as board chairman, we are confident that Ocean’s best days lie ahead.”