Rapp promotes DEI head to unite UK and US activities

Rapp UK has bolstered its diversity, equity and inclusion activities on both sides of the Atlantic by creating the role of associate director of DEI, with the aim of bringing its capabilities to life through client campaigns and the agency proposition of “standing up for individuality”.

Allison Gilbert, who was previously communications and DEI lead at Rapp UK, will now divide her time between her native US market and the UK market, where she lives, to align both agencies’ activities through global and local initiatives.

Working with Rapp chief inclusion officer Carolyn Stebbings and global chief DEI and comms officer Devin O’Loughlin, Gilbert will both develop and implement strategy and practices.

Prior to joining the agency five years ago, she was a community organiser for reproductive rights organisation NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire. Gilbert is also the co-founder and former co-chair of the Democrats Abroad UK Women’s Caucus, where she started a grassroots movement for American women living abroad.

Throughout her time at Rapp, Gilbert has played a central role in the creation and implementation of DEI training and partnerships, including being part of the team who realised Rapp’s “Ready Initiative”, the apprenticeship programme for young homeless people to join the creative industry.

Her further contributions include building a programme of education and consciousness-raising and the formation and evolution of Rapp’s DEI team and employee resource groups.

Stebbings said: “There is always more to do when it comes to promoting DEI both with our client work and within the agency’s culture, and with Allison’s awareness, sensitivity and undiluted passion, I’m confident Rapp will continue to set the precedent.”

Gilbert added: “I’m excited to start creating more tangible, impactful changes to help Rapp play its part in building an intersectional environmentalist world we all deserve. For me, I’m most looking forward to standing up for our individuals and their communities, enabling them to find their own voice and meaning, while creating and holding space for everyone else to do the same.”