Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief
Experienced tech-industry veteran Karen Bach has joined Leeds-based outdoor advertising specialist 75Media as Chair.
The appointment follows a seven figure investment in 75Media last month from NPIF II – Mercia Equity Finance, managed by Mercia Ventures as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).
Karen will bring three decades of leadership experience to the UK’s fastest-growing roadside media operator as it looks to cement its position as a tech-driven pioneer in the outdoor advertising industry.
She has previously held board positions at 20 fast-growth businesses, mostly in the international technology sector, and across the investor range from angel to private equity to public. As Chair, her role will involve strategic support, mentoring of the senior team, advice on governance and liaison with key stakeholders.
Paul Inman, CEO and Founder at 75Media, told us “Having such an experienced Chair as Karen join us signals a pivotal point in our growth. We can already see how much she will help us with her inspiring tech insight, but also her vast experience helping businesses to scale up: she has a huge network of connections which can open more doors for us. I believe it’s always helpful to have someone on the board who isn’t involved in the day-to-day, who can take a step back and see the wider picture and challenge us on our ideas and thinking. It’s been a busy 2025 already with the launch of our proprietary AI software BOB 2.0 (Billboard Optioning & Booking system); the investment from Mercia; and the launch of Ignite, our membership programme for start-ups and scale-ups. Our focus is on developing groundbreaking technology for the sector, which can help democratise outdoor advertising for all. There’s undoubtedly even more exciting times ahead. We can’t wait.”
Karen also has strong connections to Yorkshire: she graduated from the University of Bradford in the early 1990s and already sits on the board of Shipley-based business Consult Red.
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