Gemma Knox lands group MD role after return to M&C

M&C Saatchi UK is aiming to bring a touch of sparkle to its operation by promoting former Pandora global brand and strategy director Gemma Knox to the new role of group managing director and global client lead.

Knox actually returned to M&C in September last year, having first worked at the agency in 2007 and took up a client leadership role. She also spearheaded the agency’s recent appointment as Allwyn Group’s global integrated communications agency.

During her time at Pandora, Knox spearheaded a comprehensive brand transformation and new global brand communications model, overseeing strategy and campaigns across 100+ countries. Under her leadership, the brand achieved record-high revenue for two consecutive years.

Prior to that, Knox was managing director for Northern Europe at Virtue Worldwide, Vice Media Group’s creative agency, where she led European consolidation, streamlining operations and fostering collaboration across regional offices, and directed a cross-functional management team across multiple regions, driving organic growth and securing significant new business wins.

Having taken on her first agency role at M&C Saatchi in 2007, Knox has also held client service and business development positions at Sunshine, 180 Amsterdam and Karmarama.

In her new role, Knox will lead strategic initiatives and oversee client relationships on a global scale, ensuring the delivery of integrated services across the group. Her responsibilities will include managing a diverse team across different specialisms, driving business growth, and fuelling innovative strategies to enhance the company’s creative reputation.

Knox will join M&C Saatchi UK’s leadership team, reporting directly to UK Group CEO Jo Bacon and also collaborate closely with group chief marketing officer Emma Storer, and global joint chief creative officers Rob Doubal and Laurence Thomson, as well as the soon-to-be-announced chief strategy officer.

Bacon said: “Gemma’s impressive experience across media and entertainment, combined with her client-side work in fashion and luxury, fits perfectly with our ‘cultural power’ proposition. She really gets the cultural zeitgeist and knows how to work across social, content, and brand strategy to deliver impactful work. With her diverse background and fresh perspective, we can’t wait to see the mark she’ll make as we push our work to the next level.”

Knox added: “Having cut my teeth here in 2007, it feels like coming home. Great organisations are built on trust, purpose, and a shared vision, and I’m committed to fostering a culture where creativity thrives, people feel valued, and everyone is inspired to do their best work.

“I bring a wealth of global, client-side, culture-first, and integrated experience to the agency, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with the team to drive growth and create campaigns that lead with heart and build ‘cultural power’.”