KOMI Group, the Manchester-based digital media business that began life as Facebook page It’s Gone Viral, has announced the promotions of three senior leaders following a period of record-breaking growth for the firm.
Sian Broderick has been appointed managing director of KOMI Publishing, while Terry Pierce steps into the role of group operations director, and Rachel Latham becomes group finance director. The trio have been instrumental to KOMI’s expansion and will now take on even greater responsibility in shaping the company’s strategic direction.
Having reported a 45 per cent year-on-year increase in annual turnover, and a 77 per cent year-on-year rise in Q4 revenues, the promotions will play a pivotal role in scaling the business to the next level.
The group comprises three divisions: KOMI Publishing, which delivers content that captivates viewers across social media; ARK by KOMI, which specialises in sourcing, curating, and licensing the best digital content; and KOMI Talent, which helps online creators turn their passion into sustainable, successful careers by providing them with data-driven strategies to grow their audiences.
As MD of KOMI Publishing, Broderick will focus on expanding the publishing division and ensuring KOMI stays ahead of the curve in an ever-changing media landscape. Joining KOMI in 2021, Sian was previously head of KOMI Publishing, where she built a team who catapulted its roster of brands to 4bn monthly views. Utilising KOMI Insights, which uses data from billions of views and KOMI’s 150m followers to provide a real-time understanding of trends, platforms, and audience behaviour, she will continue to bolster KOMI’s platform-first approach to content publishing and its algorithm expertise.
In his new role of group operations director, Pierce will lead efforts to empower business unit leaders to drive accelerated growth across all divisions. Previously growth and strategy director, Terry spearheaded strategic acquisitions, operational improvements, and company-wide growth initiatives. Since joining in 2021, when KOMI had only 25 employees, Terry has been a key contributor to its remarkable growth to over 120 staff, cultivating a strong culture rooted in employee-led values.
As group finance director, Latham will help to lead finance decisions in the business. She brings extensive expertise in finance and accounting, joining KOMI in 2023 as financial controller. She has helped integrate the finance team across all departments, fostering a more inclusive and transparent approach to finance.
The leadership promotions are the latest in a total of 21 internal promotions across the group in the last quarter. KOMI’s growth has been boosted by two significant investments from BGF. The initial round in November 2022 was followed by an additional £5.5 million investment in July 2024, bringing total BGF funding to more than £10m. Since 2021, KOMI has also completed four strategic acquisitions, strengthening its position with niche audience sectors while maintaining rapid, sustainable growth.
Sam Lenehan, Group Managing Director at KOMI Group, said: “As we continue to build on our momentum, having just delivered a record Q1 turnover, at just under four times its level when BGF invested back in 2022, these promotions are an important milestone for KOMI. We’re at a defining moment: expanding internationally, revolutionising our operations, and capitalising on the potential of our platform. This expansion wouldn’t be possible without the exceptional leadership of Sian, Terry, and Rachel. They’ve demonstrated their commitment and dedication to the wider team, setting and exceeding ambitious goals, and I’m certain that they will continue to propel KOMI forward.”
Andrew Trotman, Founder and CEO of KOMI Group added: “We’re on a mission to build the world’s most engaged digital audiences, and having the right leadership team is fundamental to achieving that goal. Our audience has grown twenty fold in the last four years, now reaching 150 million people worldwide. These promotions reflect our commitment to innovation, strategic leadership, and delivering high quality content at scale. As we expand internationally, we’re focused on strengthening our ability to connect with people, leveraging cutting-edge strategies and data-driven solutions to serve our audiences worldwide.”
