Online Dating and Discovery Association announces new CEO
The Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Newman as Chief Executive Officer.
Simon will be joining the ODDA from the Cyber Resilience Centre for London where he is currently Chief Executive Officer. He brings with him wide-ranging experience from a background in leadership positions, most recently in membership organisations. Simon has worked with stakeholders to lead growth, influence policy-makers both in the UK and overseas, and build trusted brands. He has also delivered significant engagement opportunities for members to educate and raise the profile of cyber-related issues. He sits on various Advisory Boards focused on online safety and was recently appointed as an Honorary Visiting Fellow at City, University of London.
In his new role, Simon will focus on building and growing the ODDA to reach its full potential. Following a recent period of growth, the ODDA is looking to continue to expand on its membership and influence among our diverse stakeholders. Simon joins us at an exciting but also challenging time for the online dating and social discovery sector with new legislation impacting businesses across jurisdictions. Simon’s experience working at the highest levels of Government both in the UK and overseas, influencing policy-making and ensuring the needs of members are represented accurately with key decision-makers, will strengthen ODDA’s ability to engage and represent its members where most needed.
Following his appointment, Simon Newman said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the ODDA at such an exciting time for the organisation as it looks to continue its growth in the UK and beyond. I’m incredibly passionate about championing the brilliant work its members do and raising the profile of the Association with key policy-makers. I’m also really looking forward to developing new partnerships that support the ODDAs mission in creating a dating and social discovery world that’s safe, fair, and enjoyable for everyone.”
Welcoming Simon, ODDA Chair Jessica Alderson said:
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new CEO, Simon Newman, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the ODDA. The growth in members we have seen over the past two years has been phenomenal, and we look forward to Simon leading the association to further heights. With the major changes in dating app legislation, it’s important to have a dynamic and knowledgeable leader at the helm. Simon’s track record of working closely with government agencies and industry bodies makes him a great fit for this role.”
Simon will join the ODDA on Monday 17th June 2024.
