Barry McIlheney began his career in magazines at IPC's Melody Maker before being appointed Editor of Smash Hits and going on to become launch Editor of Empire, Publishing Director of emap's music and film titles, and then Managing Director of emap metro. In 1999, he led the launch of heat magazine and later that year moved to Paris to oversee the launch of FHM France.

He returned to the UK in 2000 as Chief Executive of emap elan, the company's women's magazine division, and in 2003 became Editor-in-Chief of emap consumer media. Barry was appointed CEO of the PPA on February 1, 2010. Barry sits on the Boards of the ABC, the Advertising Association, the Advertising Standards Board of Finance, the European Magazine Media Association, FIPP, and the Publishers Audience Measurement Company (PAMCo).