How a Leading European Media Group Unified Its Data Strategy with Harnham

by Jamie Smith, Senior Manager at Harnham, UK.

A major privately owned media organisation in Europe, employing more than 12,000 people and operating hundreds of print and digital brands, had reached a critical point in its data journey. As its digital footprint expanded, so did its data capability, but not in a way that created cohesion. 

Data teams across multiple countries and functions were working hard, but independently. Analytics, planning, digital, infrastructure and legal each had their own tools, processes, and priorities. The organisation needed one view of its audiences and a consistent, streamlined approach to how data informed decisions across the group.

The Challenge

Fragmented data functions made it difficult to share insight, reduce duplication, or measure impact at group level.

The client wanted to unify its data teams under one strategic direction enabling the UK data function to act as an internal analytics consultancy to the wider business.

To do that, they needed a senior leader who could connect the dots: someone able to define best practice, align teams across markets, and embed data into everyday commercial decisions.

The Partnership

Harnham was engaged to identify a Head of Data Science & Analytics who could combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.

The search was entirely headhunt-led. From taking the brief to verbal acceptance, the full process took just 30 days. During this time, we:

• Identified 12 targeted profiles

• Secured 8 first-stage interviews

• Progressed 6 second-stage interviews

• Delivered 3 final-stage interviews

Candidates were evaluated for their technical depth, leadership across multidisciplinary teams, and experience in fast-moving, consumer-facing environments.

The Delivery

Once the Head of Data Science & Analytics was in role, the next step was to build the structure needed to deliver their roadmap.

Harnham supported the wider transformation by placing 17 additional hires. A mix of data engineers, analysts, and data scientists to strengthen capability across the group.

This combination of executive search and delivery support meant the new leader could focus on execution from day one, not recruitment.

The Impact

Since the appointment, the organisation has:

• Unified data teams across the UK and Europe under a single operating model.

• Delivered a clear data strategy and roadmap for audience analytics and personalisation.

• Reduced reliance on external agencies, building in-house capability and improving cost efficiency.

• Accelerated reporting and insight cycles, helping business units act on data faster.

• Improved segmentation and targeting, directly supporting audience engagement and monetisation.

The Bigger Picture

The client now operates with a more connected, consistent approach to data. The UK team acts as a central hub for analytics across Europe driving consistency, improving visibility, and supporting better commercial decisions across the business.

For Harnham, this project demonstrates what we do best: bringing together executive search precision and delivery capability to help clients build lasting data teams and leadership at scale.

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