Leo Burnett UK Names Sam Houlston as Managing Director

Leo Burnett has promoted Sam Houlston to managing director of Leo Burnett UK, after the agency promoted its previous managing director, Carly Avener, to CEO in July.

Sam Houlston, currently the agency’s head of account management, will become managing director of the agency, taking on responsibilities to ensure the smooth running of the agency, attracting the best talent and the ongoing push to maintain a high standard of creative output.

Sam has worked at Leo Burnett since 2015, when he joined as an account director, working on the McDonald’s account throughout his time at the agency. In 2018 Sam spent a year at McDonald’s as a marketing manager as part of a secondment.

Since 2020, Sam has led the over 50 strong account management team at Leo Burnett, helping the team to navigate the Covid period and maintain strong momentum both in 2020 and in the following years.

Prior to joining Leo Burnett in 2015, Sam spent nearly five years at M&C Saatchi, rising from account manager to account director during this time and working across RBS NatWest, Pernod Ricard, TfL and Land Rover.

Additionally, Leo Burnett has made a number of promotions across strategy and account management, representing a new generation of leaders coming up through the ranks to support the agency as it grows and diversifies its offering.

Steph Bates, currently business director, has been promoted to head of account management. Steph joined Leo Burnett over seven years ago as an account manager on the McDonald’s account, working her way up to her current role as business director on the same brand. Her responsibilities will change to include the day-to-day running of the Account Management department, and Steph will report into Sam Houlston.

Joe Beveridge has also been promoted, rising from strategy partner to head of planning. Joe joined Leo Burnett as a senior planner in 2017, moving to strategy director in 2020. His responsibilities will change to include managing the planning department, as well as being responsible for hiring, resourcing and career development of Leo Burnett’s junior planners. Beveridge will also focus on developing the quality of the agency’s strategic inputs and processes. Joe Beveridge will report into Tom Sussman, Leo Burnett’s deputy CSO.

In addition, three Leo Burnetters will be promoted to managing partners: Lauren Martin, currently business director leading on TUI, Natalie Barry, business director leading on Kellogg’s, and Liam Hopkins, client partner, leading on Škoda and the agency’s Sport and Entertainment Division.

Benjamin Obadia has also been promoted from senior planner to social planning director within the agency’s strategy department. Benjamin will report into Tom Sussman.

Carly Avener, CEO at Leo Burnett UK, said, “One of my absolute favourite things about being CEO of Leo Burnett is our people. We have no shortage of brilliant people here at Leo Burnett, and it’s an honour to be able to recognise some of our star players through these promotions.

There’s no one better placed to take the reigns as Leo’s managing director than Sam. I look forward to working with him more closely than ever, as we’re supported by a stellar team of young leaders.”