Hong Kong – The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has appointed Lucy Chen as the new head of data and strategy. In her role, Chen will oversee the company’s business strategies and data analytics function, with the mandate of driving business transformations in alignment with evolving strategic focus, institutionalising data-led decision making practices across the organisation.
Chen brings with her over 20 years of experience in strategy, change management, organisational transformation and business development across multiple industries. She joins SCMP from SmarTone, where she held senior positions from 2020 to 2023 in corporate strategy, business planning and data analytics, and brought about substantial revenue and operational improvements.
Prior to, Chen spent almost 15 years in private equity. She entered the industry by starting in GE Equity in 2006 and co-founded Cobalt Equity Partners in 2015 with a focus on making mid-market, growth investments within Greater China, and generating significant value creation in portfolio companies.
Speaking on her appointment, she said, “I’m incredibly honoured and thrilled to join SCMP, a global news leader with a definitive voice on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia affairs. The unique culture here is a blend of 120 years of legacy and a tech-forward mindset, built by a team of highly passionate and talented colleagues who are invested and committed to the mission and vision of the organisation. I’m excited about the new frontiers and the continual milestones ahead for the Post as a media pioneer.”
Meanwhile, Catherine So, chief executive officer at South China Morning Post, commented, “Lucy’s appointment reflects the central role that data analytics plays in SCMP’s strategic capabilities and organisation model. I am confident that Lucy’s expertise will lend a solid data-driven foundation across our commercial, corporate and editorial pillars as we entrench the practice of intelligent use of data in our business and newsroom decisions as an industry leader. Under her leadership we will see optimised strategic and operational execution in business planning and transformation.”
This follows a slew of corporate appointments which include Lou Wee as director of global strategic business; Sophia Yu as managing director of SCMP Hearst; and Kevin Huang appointed as chief operating officer.