IPA Appoints Three Group Chairs to Drive Sustainable Growth in Agencies

Jason Cobbold CEO of BMB has been named chair of the IPA Commercial Leadership Group, while Nick Maddison, managing partner at the7stars and Genna Trentham, client MD at Wavemaker UK will co-chair the IPA Client Relationship Group.

In his role, Jason will host the flagship IPA Business Growth Conference and steer the IPA Commercial Pillar’s overall direction through new research, best practice guides, courses, events and thought leadership. Jason will also host a new IPA podcast The Money and the Magic, launching later this quarter.

As client relationship group co-chairs, Nick and Genna will champion the role of client service amongst both clients and agencies, and support account handlers in building mutually beneficial partnerships with their clients.

The Commercial Leadership and Client Relationship Groups form a part of the IPA Commercial Pillar, alongside the IPA Sustainability Action, Finance Business and New Business and Marketing Groups, which seeks to help agencies drive profitable and sustainable growth in the long-term. Recent research from the IPA Commercial Pillar includes Agents of Change, Defining the modern workplace, Shift happens and Partnering for Growth.

Commenting on the appointments, IPA director of agency Value, Joyce Kelso said, “We are in the midst of challenging times for the advertising industry and the wider economy, so it is vital that the IPA continue to provide agencies with all of the tools to drive mutually beneficial value and growth for clients and their own businesses.

“As the Chairs of the IPA Commercial Leadership and Client Relationship Groups, Jason, Nick and Genna will play an invaluable role in helping us to do exactly that, while boosting the value of the wider industry in the process. I look forward to working with them in the coming months and am delighted to welcome them as our new IPA Chairs.”

Says Jason Cobbold, CEO, BMB said, “How to grow is the eternal question for any business in any industry. That question is particularly timely for agency businesses who face a unique mix of challenges, from disruptive tech and the need for new skillsets to changing business models. I'm delighted to work with colleagues from the industry to help understand and navigate these and seek out the opportunities for collective growth.”

Says Nick Maddison, managing partner, the7stars said, “Growth doesn’t just happen – it needs the fusion of energy, collaboration, bravery, and insight (and no doubt some good fortune). In our industry these elements of potential success are driven by human endeavours and great relationships, which is why I’m totally made up to co-chair the group with Genna. Together, we’ll give it our all to drive good growth.”

Says Genna Trentham, Client MD, Wavemaker UK said, “In an industry powered by connection, strong relationships are the foundation of growth. By forging trust and collaboration, we empower our clients and agencies to achieve their fullest potential together. As IPA's new Chair, I'm thrilled to help navigate the industry's twists and turns, championing partnerships that create enduring value for everyone involved.”