Changes as FT and exec-appointments integrate recruitment

Following the FT's acquisition of exec-appointments.com last year, Betty Thayer has retired from her position as chief executive of the site and taken on a new, part-time role as deputy chair.  Steve Playford takes over as acting MD in addition to heading up the newly-integrated recruitment advertising operation for both media.  (These latest changes came into effect on Wednesday 1^st October.)

During her seven years as chief executive, Betty became one of the leading figures in online recruitment, and is an oft-quoted expert on the sector.  She'll retain the post of deputy chair till the year-end before taking on a variety of non-exec and consulting roles.

"The past seven years have seen an inexorable rise in the way people use the internet to find work," she says.  "Online recruitment has matured from a platform primarily used for more junior-level positions to one that currently hosts some of the most prestigious jobs available.  Our three products - exec-appointments.com, non-execs.com and MBA-Direct.com - are all global leaders in their markets.

Steve spent fifteen years at the Telegraph Media Group before joining the FT and exec-appointments in July as head of recruitment advertising sales.  As head of recruitment solutions at TMG he oversaw the growth of jobs.telegraph.co.uk and launched the title's highly profitable series of special reports.