Havas WW London Appoints New MD

Havas Worldwide London has hired Emily Somers from Leo Burnett to the new role of managing director and bolstered its client services offering with an internal promotion.

Somers, who was previously head of account management at Leo Burnett, reports into Havas Worldwide London chief executive Russ Lidstone. It is the first time that Lidstone has had an MD.

Somers will take responsibility for some senior client relationships and will work alongside Lidstone and strategy director Anthony Edwards on strengthening the agency’s integrated offering.

Separately, Gareth Davies, the head of account management, has been promoted to the role of client services director. Davies has been with Havas Worldwide London for six years and has led the Reckitt Benckiser, Citroën, and EDF accounts.

Somers, who first joined Leo Burnett in 2009, ran a department of 70 people as head of account management and was also client service director for the agency’s McDonald’s account. Prior to joining Leo Burnett, she worked for 7 years at Red Bee Media across all BBC brands.

 
Lidstone said: “'We have a wealth of talent at Havas Worldwide London and it's great to be able to recognise this by promoting Gareth into a broader agency management role and to strengthen it by bringing someone with Emily's calibre into the agency as managing director. With our uniquely integrated proposition it's critical that we have truly agnostic thinkers and hugely personable leaders like Emily and Gareth.”