J Walter Thompson Steps Up Its Leadership In The UK And Europe

J. Walter Thompson is promoting its two London Executive Partners James Whitehead and Joe Petyan. James will become CEO of J Walter Thompson London with Joe taking up the role of Regional Director, Europe.

At the same time J. Walter Thompson has made a number of cross discipline senior hires and promotions to key leadership and management positions within the business. 

As CEO of J. Walter Thompson London, James will now take full responsibility for the agency, its clients and the continued progression of its talent, diversified offering and creative work. In the last 18 months the company has launched Mirum, its digital innovation and e-commerce arm, Colloquial, an always-on content division, and Geometry@JWT, its shopper marketing unit. James will also further integrate these with the agency’s digital, one-to-one, experiential and above-the-line capabilities to advance the agency to its next stage offering for clients.

As Regional Director for Europe, Joe will take operational responsibility for markets across the continent. His focus will be on J Walter Thompson’s continued growth and diversification, whilst managing for the inevitable uncertainty that Brexit holds for multinational clients. Joe will also continue in his role as WPP team lead for HSBC globally.

James and Joe became Executive Partners, running the London agency alongside Russell Ramsey, the Executive Creative Director, in 2011.They were previously joint-Managing Directors. They will both report to J Walter Thompson European CEO, Toby Hoare. 

James said: “We have a phenomenally talented and diverse team in London and some exciting new arrivals. Together we’ll take all our creativity, agility and impact to the next level for J. Walter Thompson and our clients.”

Joe, said: “The importance of our UK business relationship with Europe and the implications for our client brands has never been greater. Building on our successful combined 7 year partnership in London, James and I will continue to work closely together in our new roles.”

Toby, added: “This is a great moment for us to expand James and Joe’s responsibilities and influence across J. Walter Thompson London and Europe. As we continue to drive entrepreneurialism and agility in London and across the region, they will provide all the right leadership for our people to best deliver this with our clients.”

Further senior promotions and appointments see Emma Hoyle, formerly Channel 4’s Head of HR, joining as Director of Talent for both J Walter Thompson London and Europe. In her previous role Emma played a broad role on delivering organisational and cultural change and developing the broadcaster’s diversity strategy - a 360 Diversity Charter. She also worked at the Labour Party as an HR Adviser to Head office and Downing Street political office and BBC Worldwide as HR Business Partner.

With the responsibility for driving growth Kate Muir becomes Head of New Business for UK and Europe. With a wealth of JWT experience Kate will draw on her entrepreneurial energy having worked in London and Italy for businesses such as a specialist online content publisher and a start-up social participation co-operative. She will lead the agency’s new business charge in London and across Europe. 

Allan Blair also joins as Head of Digital Planning. One of the industry’s leading digital strategists he joins from DDB, where he was Head of Strategy for Tribal Worldwide London. He will spearhead J. Walter Thompson London’s planning across digital comms, social, data, UX, platform, service design and business transformation projects across all key clients. 

Simone Forster is promoted to the new role of Director of Client Partnership. Having spent the past 10 years working on accounts such as Johnson & Johnson, Premier Foods and Kellogg’s she will be tasked with shaping the agency's teams to raise the standard of client experience and partnership.