DraftFCB lures back Nigel Jones

Publicis UK group chairman and chief executive Nigel Jones has quit after five years in the job to return to DraftFCB in a global strategy role.
One of the most respected figures in the business – and a former junior chess champion – Jones joined Publicis in August 2008, having spent just over two and a half years at Draft.
While at Publicis, he has overseen the acquisition of Chemistry Communications and subsequest rebranding to Publicis Chemistry.
Jones has also had to implement a new management team at the agency, following the exit of Joe Garton and Di Charlton last year, with Mike Welsh now heading up the business.
His departure is likely to raise a few eyebrows at Royal Mail, which recently appointed Publicis Chemistry to its £8m direct marketing account. It is understood that the close relationship between Royal Mail MarketReach boss Jonathan Harman and Jones – who worked together at Claydon Heeley – was a major factor in the appointment.
Jones started his career at BMP DDB in 1984, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Stuart Archibald and Arthur Parshotam, ultimately becoming head of account planning.
He quit in 1998 to join forces with Simon Antenen, Steve Barton and Ed Mason to form Jones Mason Barton Antenen, which subsequently merged with Claydon Heeley. Jones and Ed Mason were joint chief executives, although Mason left soon after. The agency, which also spurred the launch of Agency Republic, went through a number of management changes and is now called TBCH.
Jones left the company to join FCB in November 2005, where he eventually became president when it was merged with Draft a year later, before switching to Publicis. He also lured his former number two at DraftFCB, Enda McCarthy, with him. McCarthy remains chief operating officer at the agency.
Publicis has confirmed his departure but refused to comment further.