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ODDA Appoints Simon Newman as New CEO

The Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA) has announced the appointment of Simon Newman as its new Chief Executive Officer. He currently serves as CEO of the Cyber Resilience Centre for London, and will officially join the association on June 17th.

Simon Newman will be joining the ODDA as CEO, after Dr Hannah Shimko stepped down from the role earlier this year. 

The ODDA is the global voice of the online dating and social discovery industry. Its mission is to promote safe, responsible and enjoyable dating and social experiences for everyone. The association works alongside industry leaders and policy-makers to shape better industry practices and standards.

Simon brings significant experience in working with various stakeholders to spark growth and conversing with policy-makers. His background makes him a valuable asset for those looking to engage further with cyber-related issues.

In this new role, Simon’s key priorities will be growing the association’s membership, supporting dating & social platforms as new legislation is introduced, and ensuring the needs of members are represented accurately with key decision-makers.

New CEO Simon Newman shared: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the ODDA at such an exciting time for the organisation as it looks to continue its growth in the UK and beyond”.

“I’m incredibly passionate about championing the brilliant work its members do and raising the profile of the Association with key policy-makers. I’m also really looking forward to developing new partnerships that support the ODDAs mission in creating a dating and social discovery world that’s safe, fair, and enjoyable for everyone”, he continued. 

Former CEO of the ODDA, Dr Hannah Shimko, told us about the association’s priorities at the GDI New York Conference in March 2024.

Chair of the ODDA, Jessica Alderson, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new CEO, Simon Newman, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the ODDA. The growth in members we have seen over the past two years has been phenomenal, and we look forward to Simon leading the association to further heights”.

“With the major changes in dating app legislation, it’s important to have a dynamic and knowledgeable leader at the helm. Simon’s track record of working closely with government agencies and industry bodies makes him a great fit for this role’, she added.

Find out more about the ODDA on its website here.

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