Pearson has today announced the appointment of two new senior executives to its International education business. Pearson is the world's leading learning company combining 150 years of experience in publishing with the latest learning technology, assessment and online support in education.

Tamara Minick-Scokalo is appointed President, Pearson Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean. EMEA is a hugely important and highly diverse region in which Pearson sees significant opportunities to extend its impact in education.

Minick-Scokalo joins Pearson from Trax, a privately funded technology business, where she is the CEO. Minick-Scokalo's career spans organisations such as Procter and Gamble, Cadbury and Kraft in both marketing and operational roles. Following the merger of Cadbury and Kraft in 2009 she became the President of the new combined entity across Europe.

John Fallon, chief executive of Pearson's International business, said: "We are playing a much bigger role in education across the EMEA regions and engaging much more directly with a wider range of customers. With her extensive international marketing and operational experience, Tamara will bring a new set of skills to our organisation - and play a key role in building a bigger business playing a much broader role in delivering educational services across the region."

Bhavneet Singh will be joining Pearson as President, Global English from Viacom International Media Networks where he was Managing Director and Executive Vice President, Emerging Markets.

English is a fast-growing area for Pearson, which has a strong heritage in English Language Teaching through the Longman imprint and Pearson's MyEnglishLab online products, in the direct delivery of English language teaching and assessment through Wall Street English - Pearson's English language schools already present in 27 countries - and the Pearson Test of English. Singh's experience in media and entertainment will provide a heightened focus for Pearson on new business ventures for "informal learning".

At Viacom Singh was responsible for developing and establishing a portfolio of entertainment brands, which include MTV, Nickelodeon, VIVA, Comedy Central and VH1, and he has been serving on the board of Viacom18 in India. Prior to Viacom, Singh held senior positions at Discovery Communications and IMG, the global sports and media marketing company. In 2009 Singh was selected by the World Economic Forum to join Young Global Leaders, a group recognized for shaping issues of public interest around the world.

John Fallon, chief executive of Pearson's International business, said: "In our efforts to 'teach the world English' we've already built a strong team and are making good progress. Bhavneet's unique blend of experience, in digital transformation and emerging markets, complements those efforts perfectly and will help us to move even more quickly in this important growth area."

ENDS

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Notes to editors About Pearson

At Pearson we take learning personally. We believe education is for everyone, and we provide the tools for people to learn: whatever their age, wherever they are, in whatever fashion they choose. Our textbooks, courses and resources are available in print, online and through multilingual packages distributed to teachers and students all over the world. We are the world's leading learning company with a portfolio that provides innovative textbooks, online testing, software solutions and integrated services. We are also part of the wider Pearson family which includes consumer publishing through Penguin and Dorling Kindersley and business information through the Financial Times.

We are the world leader in education publishing with 150 years of experience married with the very latest expertise in technology. We create interactive online learning that supports every learner, regardless of their age or ability because it is never too late to start learning - or start enjoying it. We provide education and assessment services in more than 70 countries and over 100 languages.

Products such as MyLabs, our bestselling digital homework and assessment programme, are changing the way students learn and teachers teach worldwide. Edexcel, the UK's largest awarding body providing academic and vocational qualifications and assessment, is also part of the Pearson team. Every day all over the world our products and services help learning flourish, and wherever learning flourishes, so do people.