Joint hires former VCCP chief as first managing director

Independent agency Joint has bolstered its leadership team with the appointment of its first managing director, who will be responsible for driving growth and overseeing the operational leadership of the business.

Lou Fielding joins from boutique agency Snap LDN, where she was managing partner and part of the management team that launched the start-up; its clients include Purplebricks, Vitality, P&O Cruises and a host of entrepreneurial brands.

Prior to that, Fielding spent a large part of her career at VCCP, rising up through account management to numerous leadership roles within the agency, including client services director and head of talent – she was the youngest person to be made a partner there.

Fielding also spent three years running brand and sponsorship campaigns for O2, including the launch of Priority and the O2 Academies. In her time heading up the agency’s flagship comparthemarket.com business, she played a key role in the launch of the Meerkat Reward Scheme, the brand’s sponsorship of Coronation Street, live meerkat TV broadcasts and fully integrated brand campaigns.

At Joint, Fielding will be accountable for client relationships, new business performance and all people matters, sitting on leadership team alongside co-founders Damon Collins and Richard Exon, chief strategy officer Rowenna Prest and chief creative officer Algy Sharman.

She will report into Richard Exon, who said: “Lou is an exceptional leader and a perfect example of how the most talented people in our industry are a joy to work with. Her ability to lead and grow teams, coupled with her success in delivering award-winning work, made her the ideal candidate.

“Her vision and values align perfectly with Joint’s ambitions for continued creative excellence and growth, always alongside a happy and productive company culture. We look forward to the exciting journey ahead.”

Fielding added: “There is something truly special about Joint. The body of work and incredible growth of the business over the last 12 years is inspiring. The proudly independent culture the team has created is a joy. The people are talented, ambitious and kind. I’m so happy to be part of the next chapter and to be doing it with a leadership team who all share the same vision. I look forward to more wins, more creative heights and more fun along the way.”

Joint has also promoted business director Izzy Sheppard into the position of client partner. She joined the agency in October 2019 and has worked across a wide range of Joint’s clients such as Amazon and the Collective, as well as leading recent pitch winning teams.

Exon added: “Izzy’s passion, expertise and leadership are equally invaluable to our team and to our clients. She’s a north star for what makes Joint Joint.”