CHE Proximity CEO Chris Howatson and CCO Ant White Set to Depart to Form Howatson+White

CHE Proximity chief executive officer Chris Howatson and chief creative officer Ant White have announced their intention to leave the agency, to form Howatson+White in early 2021.

Chris commented: “CHE Proximity and Clemenger Group has been my life for the last 19 years. I’ve learned from the very best people, worked on the very best clients, and been steered by the very best in Robert Morgan. I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve been afforded and know the team will continue CHEP’s insatiable appetite for innovation and creative excellence.”

CHEP will continue its forward trajectory under the leadership of its management team, consisting of Andrew Drougas, Renee Hyde, Martin Griffin, David Halter, Mark Gretton, Michelle Brooks, James Greaney, Nicole Flinton-Ferraro, Glen Dickson, Cameron Hoelter, Helen James and Mike Deane.

Clemenger group executive chairman, Robert Morgan, acknowledged the huge contribution of Chris Howatson to the group: “Chris has shown fantastic leadership at CHE Proximity over the past eight years and prior to that with Clemenger BBDO in Melbourne and Brisbane. He has certainly made the most of the opportunity to run CHE Proximity and has built a fantastic agency. He leaves CHE Proximity in safe hands and I trust the agency will continue to do exciting, new age and innovative work and solutions for our clients, as we head into 2021 and in the coming years. We thank him for all he has done for the Clemenger group and the support he has given the Board and our companies over many years.”

Robert concluded: “We also recognise Ant for his great creative leadership at CHE Proximity over the past five years. He has led a powerful creative offering which has been a driving force behind some of the agency’s most successful campaigns in recent years.”