ASX-listed direct mail and marketing services company Salmat has appointed Rebecca Lowde as its chief executive officer. Lowde had been acting CEO since the departure of Craig Dower in May.
“Rebecca joined Salmat as chief financial officer in August 2014 and has been closely involved with the business transformation and other strategic programs since that time,” said Salmat chairman and founder Peter Mattick. “Rebecca has already made an enormous contribution to the business and we are confident that she will deliver great result’s for Salmat’s shareholders, clients and staff in this role. Her extensive leadership experience in Australia, Asia and Europe will serve Salmat well as we shape the future direction of the business.”
Mattick said Lowde and the senior executive team were currently working through a strategic review of the business that commenced in February 2017.
“I am excited to formalise my role as CEO,” says Lowde. “This is an important and challenging time for Salmat as we complete the strategic review and work to achieve the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders.”
In August, Salmat posted its first net profit since 2014 after launching its transformation program to focus on key strengths that include digital and traditional direct mailing.
FY17 revenue was down 3.4 percent to $435.3 million but earnings before tax jumped 16.3 percent to $22.8 million and net profit after tax was $4.3 million – compared to a loss of $6 million the previous year.
The Media + Digital division, which includes communications across digital and traditional channels, recorded a 12 percent drop in revenue to $224.3 million, after a fall in catalogue volumes. The Contact division – which includes onshore and offshore contact centres and managed services – recorded a $15.4 million increase in revenue to $210.3 million.
Founded in 1979, Salmat has evolved from a small letterbox distribution business to an ASX-listed marketing services company that manages billions of customer interactions every year.