Havas London Appoints James Fox as Chief Client Officer

Havas London has appointed James Fox – formerly managing director of both Lucky Generals’ London and New York offices – as its new chief client officer. His appointment – described by CEO Xavier Rees as “the missing piece of the jigsaw” for the on-form creative agency – marks only the second time it has employed a Chief Client Officer, and the first time since 2019.

Fox, who starts at Havas next month, will sit on the agency’s senior leadership team alongside CEO Rees, chief creative officer Vicki Maguire, global chief strategy officer Mark Sinnock and executive strategy director Britt Iversen. Reporting into Rees, he will oversee, nurture and develop Havas’ existing client relationships, as well as playing a central role in its new business efforts. 

He joins following seven years at Omnicom agency Lucky Generals, which he joined in 2014, shortly after it was founded by Helen Calcraft, Danny Brooke-Taylor and Andy Nairn. Fox had previously worked with the trio at both MCBD (2006-2010), where he began his career, and latterly Dare (2010-2012). Before joining them at Lucky Generals, he also spent nearly three years at Anomaly.

Fox – who has run major accounts including Paddy Power, YouTube, Hovis, Pot Noodle and Celebrity Cruises – was appointed Lucky Generals’ first Managing Director in 2017. In 2019, he was tasked with helping to establish the agency’s first overseas office in New York as Managing Director & Partner – a role he held until January 2022.

Fox says: “I’m very proud to have had seven ‘lucky’ years at one of the most successful start-ups of a generation – and I will forever be grateful for the support from the founders and my time working alongside brave clients and some of the finest talent in London and New York.

“Having returned across the pond, Havas London – led, quite literally, by the best in our industry – represents an exciting new chapter. You can feel the energy and momentum the second you walk into the office. With this leadership team, a stellar client list underpinned by new business wins such as Asda, and credentials such as its Certified B Corp status, the agency is poised to be world-leading in every aspect as our marketing economy shifts gears post-pandemic. I can’t wait to help everyone achieve their ambitions, and to shape the best possible outcomes for existing clients and new ones to come. Bring it on.”

Rees adds: “You only have to look at what James has achieved with a brilliant agency in Lucky Generals to appreciate what he’ll bring to Havas: a determination to make great creative work with and for our clients, a proven new business pedigree, and a proper entrepreneurial spirit. He’s also proven himself to be adept at fostering an agile, independent, start-up spirit while simultaneously tapping into the opportunities and benefits of a wider network. That’s no mean feat.

“Most importantly, he’s going to be a great fit culturally. Our people will love him. As soon as we met, I knew he was the missing piece of the jigsaw for what we’re building here at Havas London."