DEI trailblazer Stebbings exits Rapp UK after 18 years

Rapp UK chief operating and inclusion officer Carolyn Stebbings has left the Omnicom agency after nearly 18 years and vowed “onwards and upwards; the only way to go”.

Stebbings joined the agency in 2008 as executive managing partner for data and went on to hold multiple roles at the business, including as senior vice-president of data and tech at Rapp UK and managing director at sister agency Code, managing director of Code Worldwide and SVP data and tech at Rapp, before taking up her most recent post in February 2022.

For the past three years, she has overseen the daily operations of the UK business across both Rapp and Code as well as taking on responsibility for ensuring the agency stands up for “individuality” and ensure DE&I remains integral to the business strategy.

Starting out at MSL in 1994, Stebbings’ 30 year career has included spells at many of the industry’s “gone but not forgotten” agencies, including EHS Brann, DP&A, and Draft FCB. She joined Rapp from Wunderman, where she had been client group managing director.

At the time of her appointment, Stebbings, who was also Omniwomen global lead and remains an IDM Fellow and a Women In Tech advisory board member, was highly passionate about her DEI responsibilities.

She said: “Falling back into old ways is not an option. We need our culture to support a new way of working, not least as an elective single mum of twins and being over 50, I’m passionate that we shouldn’t be defined by who others see.

“We should all have the opportunity to shine, be heard and make a difference – this is my time to do my bit.”

The agency has yet to comment on Stebbings’ departure or whether the role of chief operating and inclusion officer will continue.