Executives/Oxford University Press CEO
Nigel Portwood, CEO of Oxford University Press

Who is the CEO of Oxford University Press in 2026?

Nigel Portwood is the Secretary to the Delegates and Chief Executive of Oxford University Press. Nigel has held the CEO seat since January 2009, and was previously Executive Vice President, Global Operations at Penguin Publishing Group.

Updated September 24, 2026
Time in seat
17 years
CEO since January 2009
Career span
36 years
First recorded role January 1990
Education
University of Cambridge
Master's degree, Manufacturing Engineering
Summary
  • Before Oxford University Press, Nigel Portwood was Executive Vice President, Global Operations at Penguin Publishing Group from January 2008 to January 2009.
  • Nigel Portwood holds a master's degree, Manufacturing Engineering from University of Cambridge and a master of Business Administration - MBA from INSEAD.

Current company

Oxford University Press

Oxford University Press is a publishing arm of the University of Oxford.

Book and Periodical PublishingHeadquartered in OxfordFounded 1586Private company

Source: Wikidata

Career and education

Nigel Portwood has been CEO of Oxford University Press since January 2009. Before Oxford University Press, Nigel was Executive Vice President, Global Operations at Penguin Publishing Group from January 2008 until January 2009.

Career

  1. Oxford University Press2009 to present
    • Chief Executive Officer
  2. Penguin Publishing Group2003 to 2009
    • Executive Vice President, Global OperationsJanuary 2008 to January 2009
    • Executive Vice President, Finance and OperationsJanuary 2003 to January 2008
  3. Pearson1995 to 2002
    • President & CEO, Europe Middle East and Africa, Pearson EducationJanuary 1999 to January 2002
    • Director of StrategyJanuary 1997 to January 1999
    • Strategy and Development ExecutiveJanuary 1995 to January 1996
  4. OC&C Strategy Consultants1990 to 1995
    • Strategy Consultant

Sources: LinkedIn profile

Education

University of Cambridge, Master's degree, Manufacturing EngineeringINSEAD, Master of Business Administration - MBASource

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Elizabeth MunnManaging Director · GBR@corp.oup.com
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Frequently asked questions

Who is the CEO of Oxford University Press?

Nigel Portwood is the Secretary to the Delegates and Chief Executive of Oxford University Press. Nigel has held the CEO seat since January 2009, and was previously Executive Vice President, Global Operations at Penguin Publishing Group.

When did Nigel Portwood become CEO of Oxford University Press?

Nigel Portwood has been CEO of Oxford University Press since January 2009, according to LinkedIn profile.

What did Nigel Portwood do before Oxford University Press?

Nigel Portwood was Executive Vice President, Global Operations at Penguin Publishing Group from January 2008 until January 2009, according to LinkedIn profile.

How long has Nigel Portwood been CEO of Oxford University Press?

Nigel Portwood has been CEO of Oxford University Press for 17 years, since January 2009.

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Methodology

The seat holder is identified in Unify's professional profile dataset, then confirmed against the company's published leadership page, its SEC filings, and Wikipedia before publication. Career and education rows carry the public document they were taken from. Leadership team membership follows the company's own leadership page; in-seat dates come from filings where available and otherwise from the profile record. Company figures are read from the Unify headcount page for the same company and are profile coverage measures, never company-reported workforce totals. The employee preview lists vice president and senior vice president level profiles by department. No personal contact details are published.

Identity confirmed against Wikipedia, Oxford University Press. Last verified: September 24, 2026.