Rory Paterson
Global Vice President, Expedia Group / Non Executive Director
BOARD & GOVERNANCE PROFILE
Commercially-astute board advisor and non-executive director with 25 years' experience guiding high-growth ecommerce, media, retail, data and technology ventures. Proven track record delivering strategic oversight, governance, investment due diligence, and transformation for global organizations and scale-up disruptors. Expertise spans board leadership, risk and compliance advisory, due diligence, growth strategy, and venture capital investments. Highly experienced in scaling global teams, stakeholder engagement, digital transformation, and organizational design.
BOARD & NON-EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE
- Non-Executive Director, The Freethinking Group (2022–Present)
Advise executive board on growth strategy, governance, financial oversight, venture capital investments, and risk management for this independent media agency and technology group.
- Board Advisor, Agentio (2023–Present)
Advise executive team and investors on go to market strategy, capital allocation, board reporting, growth scaling and international expansion for this Forbes “next billion dollar” featured ad tech startup. Inaugural adviser at pre-money seed to $340M Series B within 24 months, November 2025.
- MediaCom UK Digital Board (2008)
Appointed at age 28. Contributed to board-level digital innovation, P&L oversight, and £170m annual billings.
KEY BOARD-LEVEL ACHIEVEMENTS
- Created and led Freethinking Capital: six-figure investment strategy, due diligence and integration for growth-stage businesses, oversight of governance standards and organizational design contributing major client wins and YoY growth.
- Angel investor: Strategic board input and exit results for TVSquared ($160m), Phrasee (9-figure PE exit), Appsumer (InMobi acquisition - undisclosed).
- C-suite advisory to Tesco Group & Dunnhumby, helping define a true retail media network, leveraging first-party data and programmatic advertising.
- Board/committee guidance on M&A, capital raises, and digital transformation.
- Directly report to Expedia Inc. CMO, one layer from CEO, with regular executive presence and input to Expedia board and investor materials.
