Wildstone, the leading owner of outdoor media infrastructure, with operations across the UK, Europe and Australia, has announced the appointment of its new Chief Financial Officer, Stuart Smith. 

As CFO, Stuart will be responsible for all of Wildstone’s financial activities and will work closely with the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team on the development and execution of Wildstone’s strategy. 

Stuart joins from one of the global leaders in the gaming industry, Entain, where he held a number of senior finance positions. After joining private equity-backed Gala Coral in 2011, Stuart played a pivotal role in the team’s journey to become part of FTSE 100 company Entain Group.

Stuart brings a wealth of experience to Wildstone in running global finance functions, operating in multiple international markets, M&A, integrating newly acquired businesses and establishing a presence in new territories to facilitate organic launches. 

His appointment comes at a time of considerable overseas growth for Wildstone, which recently announced its expansion into Australia. Following the acquisition of its first Australian assets, the company has also expanded its portfolio in Spain and Germany, with further deals on the horizon.

This international expansion is in addition to Wildstone’s continuous growth across the UK. In its home market, it has emerged as the leader in OOH digitisation, having developed just over 1,000 digital outdoor media panels over the past four years. This includes replacing classic billboards with digital screens and introducing new DOOH sites. The company is responsible for the largest digital roll-out ever in the UK, and has played a significant role in the growth of several media operators.

‍Stuart Smith, Chief Financial Officer, Wildstone, said: 

“I am thrilled to be joining Wildstone during this period of international expansion. Wildstone is a great business, with the right backers and a talented management team. Having spent the last eight years working at a Plc, I’m excited to return to my private equity roots and apply the knowledge I’ve gained over the years to help the company in its ongoing mission to grow.” 

Damian Cox, CEO and Founder, Wildstone, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Stuart to Wildstone. As we expand globally, it is imperative that we continue to employ the best-in-class in all areas of our operation.”