OLIVER Supercharges Strategy Team with Trio of Senior Promotions

OLIVER announces significant upgrades in its leadership team that mark an important evolution in its strategic planning services to clients in the UK. Nick Myers, previously head of planning, has been promoted to the position of chief strategy officer, while Alec Barr, who was working as a UX consultant at OLIVER, steps into a new role as head of behavioural science and UX. Katie Craig has been promoted from planning director to planning partner.

Nick Myers has been a tremendous asset to OLIVER, bringing innovative ideas and effective strategies to the forefront for clients. His previous experience includes roles at agencies including Harrison Troughton Wunderman, where he started his career in 2002; CHI, where he helped launch its customer engagement offer; Proximity; and Loveable Consulting, his own shop. He also spent time client side with Direct Line.

Together with Rachel Hatton (global CSO), Nick has elevated the role of strategy within in-house agencies. Strategic planning has become a must-have feature, and OLIVER strategists are helping clients improve brief quality, smoothing inter-agency working, and boosting marketing effectiveness from the inside. 

Recently, Nick was featured on Campaign’s prestigious '40 over 40' list, a testament to his experience and impact in the industry, which includes a longstanding commitment to making it more diverse and inclusive. “I am both humbled and excited to step into the role of chief strategy officer. Our mission has always been to stay ahead of the curve, and I am eager to continue driving forward-thinking strategies that benefit our clients, while driving positive change” Nick stated.

Alec Barr takes a permanent role at OLIVER, as the head of behavioural science and UX. Alec brings a wealth of expertise in applied behavioural psychology, user experience, and technology ethics, making him instrumental in enhancing OLIVER’s client services.

Alec's thought leadership in the field is well-recognised and aligns perfectly with OLIVER's mission to deliver human-centred and data-driven solutions. He recently shared his insights on AI and decision-making as a keynote speaker and panellist at this year’s MAD//Fest. “Joining this incredible team permanently is a fantastic opportunity. My aim is to blend behavioural science with evidence-based UX practices, to create experiences that are not only effective but also deeply human," commented Alec.

Katie Craig steps up to planning partner, in recognition of her stellar performance as planning director. An award-winning and ambitious strategist with 15 years of experience in integrated planning, CRM, and brand strategy, she has become her clients trusted and closest partner at OLIVER and has been a key player in several Customer Engagement and Integrated new business wins.

Katie has brought her creativity and passion to numerous accounts, and last December won an Effie Award for a brilliantly creative pro-bono campaign for London children's hospice, Noah's Ark – proving that you don't need big budgets to deliver award-winning strategies. On her promotion, Katie added, "It's been a privilege to be part of OLIVER's journey, and I'm thrilled to be stepping up into a leadership role and continuing to deliver award-winning work for our clients alongside such stellar talent!"

Amina Folarin, OLIVER UK CEO, added, “We are thrilled to see Nick and Katie step into these new roles and to welcome Alec on board permanently. Their combined expertise will undoubtedly elevate our strategic offerings, helping us deliver even more impactful results for our clients.”

These appointments signal a commitment to evolving OLIVER’s strategic planning services, and enhancing the experiences it creates for clients.