Rapp UK has turned to agency stalwart Carolyn Stebbings to lead its charge to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion remains core to the future of the business.
Stebbings, who joined the agency nearly 14 years ago and has held multiple roles at the business, most recently as senior vice-president of data and tech at Rapp UK and managing director at sister agency Code.
Reporting into executive chair Chris Freeland, Carolyn becomes chief operating and inclusion officer with immediate effect. She will oversee the daily operations of the UK business across both Rapp and Code as well as taking on responsibility for ensuring the agency stands up for “individuality” and ensure DE&I remains integral to the business strategy.
Starting out at MSL in 1994, Stebbings’ career has included spells at many of the industry’s “gone but not forgotten” agencies, including EHS Brann, DP&A, and Draft FCB. She joined Rapp in 2008 from Wunderman, where she had been client group managing director.
Stebbings said: “Falling back into old ways is not an option. We need our culture to support a new way of working, not least as an elective single mum of twins and being over 50, I’m passionate that we shouldn’t be defined by who others see. We should all have the opportunity to shine, be heard and make a difference – this is my time to do my bit.”
Freeland added: “Carolyn brings with her the expertise, passion and respect to ensure Rapp UK continues to evolve its operational set-up and working practices, all the while remaining fit for purpose and future focused.
“We want to continue to be a destination agency for talent who can bring their whole self to work, foster an environment that gets things done seamlessly, and enables the individual to shine and grow. Carolyn’s role will help do just that – establishing a framework with robust working practices that makes it easy than ever to get work done, but most importantly implicitly freeing up our people to do what only they can do.”
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