Steve Leroy has joined Discovery Communications as senior VP, public and regulatory affairs for Discovery Networks International, with a particular focus on Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Working directly with Discovery’s international management team, led by JB Perrette, president and CEO of Discovery Networks International, Leroy is based in London with responsibility for directing and managing international policy and government affairs activities, as well as overseeing content compliance. He reports to Savalle Sims, executive VP, deputy general counsel.
Leroy has joined from Anheuser-Busch InBev, where he spent five years as VP, legal & corporate affairs in Europe responsible for providing strategic leadership on EU public affairs, legal matters, competition law, corporate social responsibility and crisis management. Prior to this, he spent 12 years at The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises in a variety of senior public affairs, communications and business development roles.
Perrette cited Leroy’s experience as ideal for enhancing Discovery’s global development and engagement. “With an average of 12 TV channels and several digital products in each of our markets, Discovery has an ambitious agenda for investment and growth. Steve will enhance Discovery’s profile through strategic engagement with public officials and other key stakeholders critical to our business.”
Sims said: “Steve will be an excellent ambassador for articulating our plans with key stakeholders and ensuring a favorable climate for continued investment. With an impressive background in senior management, Steve is a proven strategic leader in corporate affairs and in business.”
Leroy said: “I am very excited to have joined a company as dynamic and progressive as Discovery, and look forward to harnessing my experience to help deliver successful public policy engagement and outcomes. We are seeing a period of significant change within the broader industry at the moment, so I am keen to engage in the debates and to ensure we are committed to those new regulatory circumstances that may influence our future growth.”
