Lee Wilkinson appointed to lead DC Thomson's history business

DC Thomson has appointed Lee Wilkinson as the executive leader for its History business, which includes the innovative genealogy subscription service Findmypast. Wilkinson, who will continue in his role as Chief Information Officer, joined the company in 2020 and has played a vital role in advancing its growth strategy.

During his tenure, Wilkinson has spearheaded a digital transformation within DC Thomson, integrating Findmypast into the broader company and unveiling several new digital products and experiences. He will now support Sarah Bush, the Managing Director of Findmypast and DC Thomson's first Chief Product Officer. Bush is tasked with overseeing the strategic development of Findmypast and leading the company's consumer product practice.

Wilkinson brings over 20 years of experience in product development and technology to his expanded role. He has held leadership positions at several global organisations, including Condé Nast, Hearst, and News International. His expertise in digital media products is expected to be a significant asset to DC Thomson's History business.

Rebecca Miskin, CEO of DC Thomson's trading business, highlighted the importance of Wilkinson's appointment in the context of the company's transformation strategy. "Lee's appointment comes at a crucial point in our transformation strategy. To survive and grow, we have to do more than just attract customers; we need to create loyal and long-lasting communities. We will achieve that by investing in technology, data, and talent," Miskin said.

Miskin further emphasised the significance of Findmypast in DC Thomson's growth plans, underscoring its role in building a subscription-based business with a clear purpose.

Wilkinson himself expressed his enthusiasm for his new role. "As someone who has spent many happy hours on the genealogy hobby, involving many visits to archives across the UK, I consider myself very privileged to lead the DC Thomson History business," he stated.

He elaborated on his duties, explaining, "Part of my role as CIO at DC Thomson is to work with the Findmypast team to make a genuine, positive and enduring impact on the lives of all our customers, the wider family history community who are discovering their family stories or past, and supporting local history and academic research."

Wilkinson's passion for British history and heritage is evident. Through his board roles at Ravensbourne University London and the Royal Armouries Museum, he has first-hand experience with efforts to preserve and digitise historical records. "I find it an incredible honour to contribute to the preservation and digitisation of our past. Through my board roles at Ravensbourne University London and the Royal Armouries Museum, I get to see some of the amazing work that happens to safeguard our past for future generations to enjoy, and that extends to Findmypast," he remarked.

He is optimistic about the prospects for Findmypast, noting, "Working alongside our partners, we are poised for exciting developments in the coming months, and I can't wait to see what the next few months hold."

Findmypast's mission is to connect individuals to their family stories using the latest technology, a vast network of family trees, and the largest collection of British and Irish records available online. Trusted by numerous archives, museums, and cultural organisations, the service aims to digitise, preserve, and connect the public with national history through an ever-growing collection of exclusive records.