Dentsu Aegis Network chief Kate Howe has quit the agency to join MSQ Partners in the new year to help further develop the group’s ambitious growth plans.
Howe will take on the role of executive director at MSQ, reporting directly into chief executive Peter Reid. She will join in early February and will predominantly be based in MSQ’s London headquarters. She will also join the board of MSQ Partners.
Howe’s responsibilities will include helping to shape and implement MSQ’s ambitious growth strategy, working closely with Peter Reid and MSQ’s agency management teams.
She will also have specific responsibilities for the development of MSQ’s market leading multi-disciplinary proposition and for identifying additional new business and growth opportunities across the group.
A highly respected business leader, Howe was most recently responsible for Dentsu Aegis Network’s roster of creative, content, CX and commerce brands, which includes McGarrybowen, Gyro, Isobar, BJL, John Brown Media and B2B International. She was also chief growth officer for the Dentsu Aegis Network, driving the group’s new business activity.
Prior to that, Howe was chief executive of Gyro UK, the B2B agency that was acquired by Dentsu Aegis in 2016. She remained chairman of Gyro after leading the acquisition of B2B International and being promoted to her wider network role in 2018.
Howe has over 25 years’ experience working at some of the UK’s biggest advertising agencies. She has been managing director of Leo Burnett, a board director of Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO and regional president of Europe for DraftFCB.
She also spent four years as the group marketing director of Gala Coral Group.
Peter Reid said: “Kate’s arrival is a critical piece in the MSQ jigsaw. We are developing quickly and having Kate on board will help drive our ambitious plans forward even more rapidly. She’s a highly collaborative and inspirational leader who brings vast experience in helping agencies and networks grow. I couldn’t be more delighted.”
Howe said: “MSQ Partners is perfectly placed to offer clients the flexibility and collaborative thinking you get with smaller independents, but with the scale and deep expertise offered by a large network. With new investment and an ambitious management team it’s a very exciting time to be joining them.”
In a statement, Dentsu Aegis Network UK and Ireland chief executive Euan Jarvie said: “Kate is an authentic and inspiring leader and has been a key member of my leadership team this year. While we are sad to see Kate leave, she leaves us with a strong management team in place to continue to grow our brands and our people. On behalf of everyone at Dentsu Aegis, I would like to thank her and wish her the very best for her next move.”
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