Licensing International has announced that U.K. managing director Graham Saltmarsh will be leaving the organisation. LI’s current global marketing head Steve Manners will add U.K. managing director to his remit as Licensing International intensifies its focus on the U.K. 

“We are incredibly grateful to outgoing U.K. managing director Graham Saltmarsh for bringing back LEC live and in person, launching the retail programme and for all of his hard work throughout the pandemic, righting the ship and steering our U.K. members through Covid,” says Maura Regan, president, Licensing International.

Based in London, Manners will be responsible for supporting Licensing International’s UK members and expanding the U.K. membership through educational programmes, expanded retail initiatives, and the Young Professionals Network (YPN). He will continue to collaborate with Informa on joint initiatives including BLE and Licensing Expo, as well as overseeing Licensing International’s marketing. This role expansion will become effective on July 18.

“It has been a joy working with the Licensing International team and I am thrilled to continue those efforts with a focus on strengthening our strategy in the U.K., which is a key market for the global licensing community,” says Manners.

Manners first joined Licensing International in January, overseeing global marketing efforts for the trade organisation. He brings extensive industry experience to the role, having held senior management positions at leading companies including 20th Century Fox, Universal, Beanstalk and WildBrain CPLG. His expertise includes a deep understanding of all aspects of licensing, both from a licensor and agent perspective.