Board of Directors

James Carter

James joined Digitalbox in 2016 and is responsible for the strategy, direction and day to day running of the business. He has a proven track record in building value in the media industry, within both public and limited companies. As part of the founding executive team at Factory Media, he drove the business to achieve a significant exit to Forward Internet Group. Prior to the creation of Factory Media, James was NPD Director at Dennis Publishing and Publishing Director at EMAP PLC where he had responsibility for FHM. FHM grew from a fledgling fashion focused magazine to a global network of 32 editions and a value at its peak of over £250m.

Jim Douglas

Jim oversees editorial operations at Digitalbox and has previously held strategic and profit responsibility for successful media brands in sectors including film, music, games, sport and automotive. He has led creative teams in both UK and US. He started his career at EMAP plc as a journalist and in the early 90s he joined start-up business Future Publishing, which eventually became and remains a listed company. At Future, Jim held the position of Editorial Director for 10 years with ultimate responsibility for product development. During this time Future was named UK Digital Publisher of the Year five times.

David Joseph

David is a law graduate and Chartered Accountant, starting his career and qualifying with Price Waterhouse, moving into industry in steel stockholding (ASD plc) then into FMCG (Unilever plc) before entering the media industry in 1995 when he joined Emap plc. Here he occupied several senior financial roles within its operating companies, including Chief Financial Officer of Emap Metro, the men’s and music publications business and Emap Advertising, the then central cross platform advertising sale business. On leaving in 2001 David has since worked exclusively within the media industry on many projects including start up, MBI, MBO, turnaround, distressed and buy and build across a wide spectrum of enterprise values (£1 million to £50 million) and funding structures, internationally, both in the Far East and in the USA.

Phil Machray

Phil joined Digitalbox as an Independent Non-Executive Director in July 2021 and is Chairman of the Audit Committee. Phil is also a member of the Remuneration, Nomination and Disclosure committees. He is Chief Financial Officer of data and intelligence business, Merit Group plc and a Non-Executive Director of System1 Group plc, the marketing decision-making platform business. Phil is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ experience in the media sector as an advisor, Board member and Executive. Most recently Phil worked for 16 years at Reach plc (formerly Trinity Mirror plc) where he held roles including Director of Corporate Development, Chief Operating Officer of Regionals, and Managing Director of Specialist Digital. Phil began his career at Deloitte LLP and was a Director within Deloitte’s Technology, Media & Telecoms practice.

Marcus Rich

Marcus Rich who is also Non-Executive Director at Perfect Storm Productions Ltd was TI Media CEO from March 2014 to May 2020 prior to the sale to Future PLC. Previously he was at Associated Newspapers for five years in the roles of Commercial Director and Managing Director Mail On Sunday. Preceding this Marcus worked at EMAP for 16 years, during which time he held the role of Group Managing Director of EMAP Lifestyle Magazines and EMAP Advertising, and also ran the company’s Australian and US businesses. Prior to that, Rich was a Group Account Director at McCann Erickson and also ran Optimus Communications. Marcus chairs the Remuneration, Nomination and Disclosure committees and is a member of the Audit Committee.

Martin Higginson

Martin is recognised as a seasoned Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT) entrepreneur. He has started, sold, and listed numerous businesses. His first business was sold to IPC Magazines in 1982. Following three years with IPC he left to set up his own publishing and telecoms business, this was subsequently sold to Scottish Power plc. During his time with Scottish Power he joined their subsidiary Scottish Telecom, as Managing Director of their Internet and Interactive division, including Internet ISP Demon Internet. Following the flotation of Thus plc (formerly Scottish Telecom) he left to start Monstermob, a company he went on to list on AIM in 2003; growing it to a Top 50 AIM listed business. Monstermob Group plc was sold to Zed Worldwide in 2006. Martin has subsequently founded Cityblock plc, a luxury student accommodation business, NetPlayTV plc, an interactive TV gaming business, Digitalbox and Immotion plc. He is currently CEO of Immotion Group plc. Martin is a member of the Audit, Remuneration, Nomination and Disclosure Committees.