BMJ Group appoints Niels Peter Thomas as CEO, BMJ Publishing

LONDON – BMJ Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Niels Peter Thomas as CEO, BMJ Publishing, effective 15 April 2026.

Niels will lead all global publishing activities for the healthcare knowledge provider. This includes the world-renowned journal The BMJ, and nearly 70 speciality journals, alongside the Group’s Events, Careers, and Learning businesses. He will report directly to BMJ Group Board Chair Peter Vicary-Smith.

Niels brings over 20 years of international leadership experience within the Springer Group. He joins from Springer Nature, where he most recently served as Executive Vice President/Managing Director, Books, overseeing the world’s largest academic books programme. His previous roles include President of Springer Nature Greater China and Managing Director for the Iversity e-learning platform.

Niels also holds a PhD in Political Economy and remains active in the academic community as a visiting professor at a Beijing university, mentoring early-career researchers.

Welcoming the appointment, Peter Vicary-Smith said: “After a fiercely competitive global search, I am delighted that Niels is joining us in this vital role. As we focus on accelerating growth and increasing the global impact of our research, Niels brings proven leadership and a demonstrable record of delivering sustained commercial growth in strategically important regions such as China. His expertise in digital transformation and AI will be vital to the delivery of our ambitious publishing strategy”.

Niels Peter Thomas commented: “I am excited to join BMJ Group at this important time in its international growth journey. I look forward to working with a team of highly respected publishing leaders and collaborating with researchers and partners to ensure sustainable growth that delivers a long-term positive impact globally”.

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Notes to Editors: BMJ Group is a global healthcare knowledge provider with a vision for a healthier world. Through our publishing and events, careers and learning, and digital health divisions, we aim to improve health outcomes for all.