MAA drafts in Graham Kemp to spearhead top team

The Marketing Agencies Association has restructured its senior team following the departure of managing director Scott Knox by bringing in Marketing Store founder and former global chief Graham Kemp to lead the industry body as executive director.
Kemp, who stepped down from The Marketing Store in 2007, will work two days a week at the MAA alongside his other role at Wiki-Solutions, a management consultancy he co-founded in 2007.
He has strong ties with the MAA, having been chairman for three years, between 2005 and 2008, when it was known as the MCCA.
In his new role, Kemp will help to shape the future of the MAA and offer support and guidance on the day to day running of the organisation.
New chairman Tim Bourne has also brought on board former Britvic marketing chief Andrew Marsden, and ex-M&C Saatchi commercial director Andrew Reeves to work closely with the internal team at the MAA, offering support across the more commercial elements of the trade body.
In addition, Quiet Storm managing director Rania Robinson has been appointed to the MAA board and will immediately begin the role of joint chair of diversity, alongside RPM founder and chief executive Hugh Robertson.
Earlier this year, the MAA launched an initiative to recruit a group of Diversity Leaders across its member agencies. Robinson will join Robertson in overseeing this initiative before they both announce the 2017 diversity framework on behalf of the MAA.
Robinson said: “In an industry where it’s essential that we understand the rich diversity of people, it seems crazy that there isn’t a true reflection of this within our agencies. Outside of the moral imperative for equality and diversity it simply makes good business sense. It means we’re more able to relate to the people we’re talking to and make the most of the breadth of talent available.
“For many, it’s not a lack of willing but a lack of understanding that’s preventing meaningful action on this issue. For me the MAA offers the perfect platform to tackle this head on and make a real difference.”
This year the trade body has welcomed a diverse range of new board members from agencies including Crispin Porter + Bogusky, 18 Feet & Rising, Leo Burnett, DigitasLBi and Cheil.
Knox, who left the MAA in September after 15 years, has taken up the role of president and chief executive of the Institute of Communications Agencies in Canada.