Lida chairman and chief strategy officer Matthew Heath has become the latest top-level casualty of the M&C Saatchi-owned agency’s overhaul, triggered by the loss of high-profile accounts including Boots and the Ikea Family loyalty club business.
His exit comes just eight weeks after chief executive Victoria Fox left the agency to “pursue new opportunities”, while chief creative officer Trefor Thomas quit earlier this year after just 18 months in the role.
Thomas was succeeded by Rapp creative chief by Ben Golik, although the agency has yet to announce a new CEO to replace Fox. It is not known whether the chairman role will survive the shake-up.
In June, M&C said the new Lida proposition would be unveiled imminently.
Heath started his career at JWT in the mid-Eighties before spells at Mountain View, WWAV Rapp Collins (now Rapp) and his own start-up Heath Wallace. He joined M&C in 2004 and has been chairman of Lida since then; Heath also leads strategy teams across the group.
He is moving client-side to take up a chief marketing officer role, although details have not yet been released.
Heath said: “Lida has been an incredible experience for me. We have built up one of the most-admired agencies in our sector with a client list that is the envy of London. I couldn’t be leaving it in better hands. I am now greatly looking forward to starting a new role as a chief marketing officer; everything I have learnt at Lida will stand me in good stead.”
Related stories
Lida starts fresh round of blood-letting as Fox departs
Trefor Thomas steps down at Lida for fresh challenge
Lida appoints Trefor Thomas as new creative chief
Proximity triumphs as Ikea builds for expansion drive
Lida on alert as Boots owner hands account to WPP
MRM Meteorite lures Lida’s Nicky Bullard for top job
Lida exodus continues as Whitcombe signs for Helia
