Pearson announced today the appointment of Simon Robson as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), taking over from Sally Johnson, who has notified the Board of her decision to depart the company for the CFO position at a major privately held firm.
Pearson approaches 2026 with assurance and momentum in achieving mid-single digit underlying sales growth in 2026, alongside the medium-term forecast detailed in our full-year report on 27 February 2026.
As part of a scheduled succession plan, Simon is set to start at Pearson on 30 March 2026. He will take on the position of Group CFO and Executive Director on 8 May 2026, following a coordinated transition alongside Sally.
Simon offers vast financial leadership expertise from Sky, a leading company in media, technology, and connectivity across Europe. He became part of Sky in 1997 and has taken on several high-level finance and strategy positions, such as CFO of Sky Deutschland from 2015 to 2018, Deputy Group CFO, and Group CFO since June 2020. Simon possesses a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Sheffield and is a certified chartered accountant.
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Sally has dedicated almost 26 years to Pearson, with six of those years serving as Group CFO. Throughout her time, she has been instrumental in enhancing Pearson's financial results, promoting substantial business and finance changes, and refining the Group's strategy regarding capital allocation.
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Omar Abbosh, Chief Executive Officer of Pearson says, "I would like to congratulate Sally on her new opportunity and thank her for the outstanding contribution to Pearson over many years. We are very grateful for her leadership as CFO, especially the critical role she has played in strengthening the company and positioning it for the future. I am delighted to welcome Simon to Pearson. He brings deep financial expertise, strong leadership experience and a proven track record from a large, global business. I am confident that he will be a great addition to the executive team and will support the continued delivery of our strategy."
Sally Johnson, Group Chief Financial Officer says, "It has been a privilege to spend nearly 26 years at Pearson and to serve as CFO over the past six years. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and grateful to colleagues across the business for their support and partnership. I will remain fully focused on delivering our priorities and ensuring a smooth handover to Simon."
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Simon Robson, incoming Group Chief Financial Officer says, "I am delighted to be joining Pearson at an exciting time for the company. Pearson's purpose, scale and global reach, alongside its strong strategic momentum, make this a compelling opportunity. I look forward to working with Omar, the Board and colleagues across Pearson as we continue to deliver for learners and shareholders, and I am committed to supporting a seamless transition."