Philip Thomas

Philip Thomas is Chief Executive of Ascential Intelligence & Events, which comprises LIONS, WGSN, WARC, Money20/20, Retail Week and World Retail Congress. He is also Chairman of Cannes Lions, having been CEO of Lions Festivals for ten years, between 2006-2016.

He began his career as a journalist, working on national and international magazines and newspapers, and editing Empire, the UK’s biggest-selling movie magazine, before moving into publishing and becoming Managing Director of FHM worldwide, launching the iconic men’s magazine in more than 30 countries.

He was appointed Managing Director of Emap’s Australian and South East Asian division, based in Sydney for three years, before returning to the UK and being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Lions Festivals.

Philip is a Non-Executive Trustee of the Media Trust and Malaria No More charities, and was cited as one of the Agents of Change for Gender Equality by the UK's Management Today magazine.