Helen Rhodes to Join Grey London as Chief Creative Officer
From left to right: Conrad Persons and Helen Rhodes
Grey London, announces the appointment of Helen Rhodes, executive creative director at BBH London, to the role of chief creative officer.
One of London’s most successful creative minds, Helen’s work has won at every major international awards show (Cannes, D&ADs, The One Show and Clios).
As well as overseeing the agency’s 50+ strong creative and design team, Helen will work alongside wider leadership to shape the strategy and direction of the agency. Her appointment reflects Grey London’s enduring focus on award winning creative and growth. Her appointment comes on the heels of Grey’s successful 2024, which saw them beat out leading agencies to add several highly contested accounts, including Tourism Ireland and Energy Networks Association.
The creative heavyweight has built an enviable book of work across the globe. She has done this while working at some of the most awarded agencies in the world. At BBH London, Helen was behind the iconic 'Girl vs Cancer,' which smashed the stigma surrounding sex and cancer. Before BBH, she held roles at iconic institutions like the BBC, where she won a BAFTA for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics work, and at Wieden+Kennedy Portland, where she worked to bring back 'The Colonel' for KFC.
Helen is also passionate about introducing underrepresented talent into our industry. During her time at BBH, she took the helm as leader of The Barn – a creative training programme designed to expand and support the next generation of creative talent in the industry.
Helen’s appointment is one of Conrad’s first executive hires since he joined the agency in September 2023. She will transition to Grey London this spring, working closely with him to lead the agency's creative vision across its diverse client roster, including Haleon, The Coca-Cola Company, Volvo, and the recently acquired Tourism Ireland account.
On her appointment, Helen shared, “As soon as I met Conrad, I was hit by his relentless enthusiasm and drive, and I knew there was something very special going on at Grey which I just had to be a part of. If you have the right mix of people then anything is possible, and I can’t wait to further enrich a creative culture at Grey that wants to make the most interesting and innovative work on the planet.”
Conrad commented, “As a creatively led business, it was essential that we find someone with unrivalled creative talent, who was also hungry to take on a wider leadership role within the agency. Known for her brilliant talent, non-traditional thinking, award-winning ideas and industry-leading work, it was clear from our first conversation that she would be a great fit. Helen has both the talent and temperament we were looking for. We’re absolutely delighted she has decided to join us and look forward to her arrival.”
Gabriel Schmitt, global chief creative officer, Grey, said, "Grey London deserves a chief creative officer who can match our ambition, and Helen is that person. Just look at the campaigns she's created and led, the agencies she's helped shape – her experience is unparalleled. We couldn't be more thrilled to have her join our mission."
