Digital Science announced today the appointment of Daniel Hook, currently Director of Research Metrics at Digital Science, 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 successfully mentoring and incubating a portfolio of technology start-ups within Digital Science, Hannay plans to launch his own company in the EdTech sector.
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, whilst also acting as interim COO of portfolio company, Figshare.
Digital Science is a technology company which invests in and incubates technology companies serving the needs of scientific and research communities, including academic research organisations, publishers and research funders. It 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.
Commenting on the appointment, 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.”
Daniel 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.”
Timo Hannay said:
“I am so proud to have been a part of Digital Science. Its success has been possible because of the passion, commitment and talents of an extraordinary team of people across the world. I wish Daniel and all my colleagues every success continuing this progress into the future.”
Daniel Hook’s biography.
