ITE appoints new portfolio director for Jacket Required, Pure, Scoop and MODA

Trade show operator ITE Group has announced the appointment of Martin Arnold, currently the commercial director for fashion retail and jewellery at EMAP, incorporating Drapers and Retail Jeweller, as its new portfolio director. Arnold will be responsible for Jacket Required, Pure London, Pure Origin, Scoop and MODA.

He will take up the post in March and will be reporting to Julie Driscoll, now the UK regional director at ITE Group. Arnold's appointment follows the exit of Mark Batista from Jacket Required, the show Batista co-founded with Craig Ford in 2011. Last week's edition of Jacket Required was Batista’s last in a consultancy role.

Julie Driscoll

Batista also owns sales, marketing and design agency Brand Progression, which he founded in 1998 and represents brands including Sandqvist, Sanders and Baracuta.

Driscoll said of Batista's departure and Arnold's arrival: “Mark is still part of the Jacket family as we are looking forward to his brands showing next season. Martin Arnold is an industry figurehead and will lead the portfolio into the next stage of growth.”

Shirin Akhtar has also now been promoted to head of marketing to work across the ITE’s fashion show portfolio.

ITE acquired Pure London from Ascential last year making the most influential fashion trade show operator in the UK market.