Ogilvy UK has rewarded nearly 30 years of loyalty to the agency by appointing Fiona Gordon – an agency lifer who started at the business in 1992 – as its new chief executive.
Previously chief client officer EMEA, Gordon succeeds Michael Frohlich, who resigned in March to join by Weber Shandwick as EMEA chief executive but has been on gardening leave ever since.
Since joining Ogilvy as a graduate trainee, Gordon has held key roles in the US, Asia, and the UK, leading large advertising, experience and integrated teams.
Prior to her most recent role, she was the WPP UK team lead for Walgreens Boots Alliance, building a WPP team who not only grew revenue by $3m in a year, but managed to secure Boots’ highest brand reputation scores for 10 years, before leading and retaining the business in a global pitch in 2020.
Fiona’s other key roles have included Ogilvy UK’s group transformation director and group chair of Ogilvy Singapore, where she is credited with revitalising the business and winning a string of industry accolades including SE Asia Agency of the Year and SE Asia Agency Head of the Year. She also sits on the advisory board of WPP Stella (WPP’s Women’s Network).
Ogilvy CEO EMEA Paul O’Donnell, who has been overseeing Frohlich’s duties since March, said: “Fiona is a truly modern, inspirational leader, who focuses on building high performing teams and is a tremendous champion for creativity and talent.
“In her almost three decades working with Ogilvy, Fiona has held senior roles in multiple markets, including the US, UK and Asia, where she was group chair of Ogilvy Singapore. She is absolutely the right person to lead Ogilvy UK into the next phase of its evolution. Fiona leads with typical Scottish candour and drive and I look forward to partnering with her in this new role.”
Gordon added: “Having started my career at Ogilvy UK as a graduate trainee, there is a wonderful circularity about taking the reins of the agency I love now as the CEO – particularly at a time when the UK business is producing award-winning impactful work for our clients across all areas from advertising to PR and experience.
“I’m so energised by the opportunity to lead and cherish Ogilvy UK and look forward to partnering with our fantastic clients and stellar talent, to deliver work that has true impact for all our clients and our people.”
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