New managing director for Digital Science

Digital Science has appointed Daniel Hook, currently director of research metrics, as its new managing director. Hook assumes this role from Timo Hannay, who has served as MD since the company’s inception in 2009.

After five years of mentoring and incubating a portfolio of technology start-ups within Digital Science, Hannay plans to launch his own company in the EdTech sector.
 
The company says Hook has been working side-by-side with Hannay to allow a smooth transition of the business and continuity of leadership. He has held many positions within Digital Science since joining the business four years ago as co-founder of Symplectic, one of Digital Science’s first portfolio companies.  Most recently, he has served as director of research metrics, while also acting as interim COO of portfolio company, Figshare.
 
Digital Science is home to more than 250 staff in the UK, USA, Germany, Israel, Romania and Australia. It is wholly owned by the global media company, Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, and will have its reporting line into Markus Schunk, who heads the Holtzbrinck Digital, Information & Services division.
 
Stefan von Holtzbrinck, CEO of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, said: 'We recognise Timo’s immense contribution to the creation and establishment of Digital Science.  Its reputation as one of those rare companies truly enabling research to be redefined by technology is down to his vision and the team he has assembled, which includes Daniel Hook.
 
'I cannot think of anyone better than Daniel to lead Digital Science into the next phase, so I am delighted to appoint him as the new managing director. His ability to think strategically has already ensured him a pivotal role within Digital Science, as both a company founder and a business leader. His vision for how our technology can be used and experienced will form the next chapter of innovation and growth for Digital Science.'
 
Hook added: 'I am honoured to have been asked to lead Digital Science into the hugely exciting next stage of its growth. Some of the most influential global research organisations, publishers and funders from California to Melbourne use Digital Science technology to enable their research to be more efficient and more open and ultimately to propel their research forward to discover more.'