Kate Howe Named Managing Director Of Gyro London

Gyro, the global ideas shop, has named Kate Howe Managing Director of gyro London. Howe will be helming gyro London alongside award-winning Executive Creative Director Mike Shackle.

Together with the gyro London team, the pair will bring gyro’s redefinition of business-to-business, which has been successful around the world, to London. The global independent shop has been the most-awarded B-to-B agency during the past four years. Most recently it was named Advertising Age’s 2014 B-to-B Agency of the Year runner-up.

Howe has a long, solid history of success, most recently as European President for Draftfcb where she has been the driving force behind the London acquisitions of digital agency Blue Barracuda and integrated agency Inferno. She was instrumental in winning, overseeing and managing the £40m global Beiersdorf account. Additionally, Howe successfully led a number of local pitches and defended the Post Office direct response account while also reinvigorating the agency’s existing clients and the London agency culture.

Having held director-level positions both client-side and agency-side, Kate has a broad understanding of the B-to-B space and digital innovation as well as the consumer packaged goods arena.

Howe and Shackle will continue to accelerate gyro London’s strong momentum. Earlier this month, the office was presented with IPA CPG Gold honors. In the past year, it has secured impressive wins including Cisco and Keurig U.K. while organically growing accounts including Shell.

Nick Jefferson, who has served as MD since 2012, is moving onto new opportunities in Spain.

“It's gyro's goal to completely redefine the B-to-B discipline as we know it,” said Christoph Becker, ceo+cco, gyro. “Kate and Mike are the right leaders to take gyro London to new levels and replicate the momentum we’re experiencing in other markets. Our recent gains internationally are the embodiment of how much our global ideas shop has grown in stature.”

Howe said: “There is huge potential in the London market to redefine the B-to-B space using an independent approach. Mike has an excellent track record and I’m very happy to be teamed with him to lead gyro London. I believe there will be a unique satisfaction that comes with being independent and building something great.”

Shackle said: “Kate has shown a remarkable ability as a leader and new business champion. She also understands what great work is and will push for only the best for gyro London’s prestigious group of clients.”