My future is now with a lower-case f. After five years on the executive leadership team at Future, I am going to finally do my share of school runs. And after a few of those… who knows? But something new. Taking Future’s biggest brands to record highs has been an unforgettable experience. And it is an experience I have shared with so many talented and kind people – far too many to list here but to name a few… Matthew Pierce, Paul Newman, Gareth Beavis, Mark Spoonauer, Stuart Williams, Keith Walker, Sam Robson, Simon Glanville, Jason Orme, and Evan Kypreos. Such incredible people, all of you. Leading the Ecommerce division with Matthew Smith has been a huge part of my work at Future these past few years, and our success has been a great source of personal pride. But it simply could not have happened in the glorious way that it did without James Rivington, Ross Curtis, and Simon Rawle. Of all the areas of media I have worked in, this has been the closest to my heart. It has been a complete joy. Being part of the ELT since 2016 and helping the business grow to become listed on the FTSE 250 has been an adventure many will envy and few will have. I was privileged to work with so many great people on this team in that time, so I will sign off with a heartfelt shout-out to Zillah Byng-Thorne, Claire MacLellan, Kevin Li Ying, Rachel Addison, Penny Ladkin-Brand, Julian March, Jason Kemp, Mike Peralta, Marco Peroni, Rick Stamberger, Angela O'Farrell, Andrea Davies, Mike Kisseberth, Simon Jackson, Lee Griffin, Sophie Wybrew-Bond, Marcus Adolfsson, and others I am no doubt criminally forgetting. Not to mention the brilliant support I have had from all across the business, not least of which from Daniel Jotcham, Jon White, Ross Andrews, Hollie Bishop, and Emma Rome. I have worked in consumer media now since 2003. In every office I ever sat, I always saw genius and graft around me. It’s a wonderful industry, full of change and opportunity, amazing people, inspiring brands, and full-throttle competition. I have absolutely loved it.
Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Your record of success at Future is incredible, but what the record books will not show are all of your even greater achievements behind the scenes - where you worked your butt off every day, quietly being instrumental far and wide across the business, bringing hundreds of people together in the process, and not taking credit for anything. Have a good rest, you’ve earned it.
It’s rubbish to think that you won’t be available to message at work. No, wait. Maybe now you’ll be able to reply to my messages quicker 😀 I don’t know what the world’s busiest man will do without meetings… but I can’t wait to hear about it.
Simon Rawle
2y
This reminds me of how I felt when Kanchelskis moved to Everton. It’s hard to overstate the impact and legacy you’ve created here. We’ll miss your wit and your wisdom, your drive and calming influence. It’s just not going to be the same without you but I won’t begrudge you a well earned rest. Very best of luck my friend. Si (Ralf Gunnar Moyes)
Sam Robson
2y
Thank you for everything, AA. It’s been a privilege to work with you. You’ve achieved so much across Future and Imagine, and I’m sure you will absolutely nail that school run. Enjoy it!
Aaron it was such a privilege to work with you. I know whatever is around the corner for you will be big and exciting but in the meantime enjoy your time on the school run!
I know you’ll hate the outpouring of thanks and appreciation on this post, but you desverve every ounce of it and more. It’s a huge loss to Future but a brilliant change for you and your family. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the last few years. A “complete joy” sums up our time working together so well. Bring on whatever comes next!
Aaron, A Big Congratulations. Being a father and a parent is a full time job. You really made Future a real force in media.
Marco Peroni
2y
Yo! All the best Aaron, end of an era. It's been a while, message me.
Jason Orme
2y
Aaron I’m hugely appreciative of everything you’ve done for me and way more importantly, Future. As your post proves, you always managed to hit just the right note - which is why you’ve been such a success here and will no doubt be in whatever comes next for you.
Executive Assistant
2yI’ll never forgive you for leaving me 💔 Well done for all of your achievements, you are an incredible leader. No one ever complained about reporting into you. You’ll be so sorely missed by us all. Call me tomorrow, yeah? X