Saatchi & Saatchi Elevates Sarah Jenkins to Chief Operating Officer

Saatchi & Saatchi has appointed Sarah Jenkins as chief operating officer, a newly created role which will see Jenkins drive operational growth for the business.

Sarah will be focused on operational transformation as the agency moves into a key growth period. Building on the agency’s new business and creative successes of 2023, Sarah will be responsible for evolving operations to deliver greater creative flow, increased productisation and commercial efficiency. She will continue to work with key clients and lead on strategic talent programmes.

Having joined Saatchi & Saatchi as managing director in 2019, Sarah’s elevation follows a fast 2023 for the agency which saw her lead new business wins including John Lewis Partnership and drive client partnerships including Direct Line, Subway and the British Heart Foundation. Committed to ensuring Saatchi & Saatchi sets the bar for supporting young talent within the industry, Sarah co-founded the agency’s school’s platform, Upriser, a long-term, sustainable programme engineered to inspire students to pursue creative careers, and has now supported more than 3,000 students and their teachers.

Replacing Sarah as managing director is Jonathan Tapper, promoted to the leadership team from his previous role as managing partner. As MD, Jonathan will oversee the day to day running of the agency, including its P&L, talent, departments, squads and specialist functions. 

With Saatchi & Saatchi since 2020, Jonathan has led on some of the agency’s biggest clients, most notably BT and EE, delivering the launch of New EE in October 2023, the brand’s largest campaign since its foundation in 2012 as well as leading some of the agencies biggest recent wins including OVO, Churchill and TNT Sport. Prior to Saatchi & Saatchi, Jonathan rose through the ranks of Wieden+Kennedy, AMV BDDO, BBH and Ogilvy, leaving the latter as head of brand. 

Both Sarah and Jonathan will report to CEO James Denton-Clark. 

James Denton-Clark, CEO, Saatchi & Saatchi says, “We have plenty planned for 2024 and I’m excited for the critical role both SJ and JT will play in steering Saatchi & Saatchi into our next chapter.” 

Sarah Jenkins, chief operating officer, Saatchi & Saatchi says, “Alongside the leadership team it’s beyond a privilege to help power up Saatchi as the agency, and indeed the industry, leans into its next chapter. Smarter commerciality and better systems is an imperative, but advertising is a talent game and it’s feeling pretty cool knowing my ultimate KPI is to ensure that our talent get more unlocks and can lean into more exceptional opportunities if I get this role right.”

Jonathan Tapper, managing director, Saatchi & Saatchi says, “Last year proved that ‘nothing is impossible’ for us. I’m so proud to be helping lead this talented team as we continue to raise the bar.”