The latest round up of people moves include OpenAI, Allwyn, Polymarket, and Microsoft.
OpenAI has experienced a number of high-profile resignations as it prepares to make its debut on the IPO.
The latest is Denise Dresser, who was appointed in December as chief revenue officer to help win over corporate customers.
A few days earlier, Brad Lightcap, chief operating officer and former chief financial officer, also quit.
Chloe Bakalar, head of ethics resigned after just under a year.
OpenAI also lost Fidji Simo, who was at one time considered Sam Altman’s number two, although the Financial Times reported she is still active behind the scenes and serves the company as an advisor.
The “preparedness team” seems to also have been disbanded, although OpenAI has denied this. The team’s role was to assess whether any models could pose a severe or catastrophic risk, and how to mitigate them.
Other notable people moves
Omnicom: Hundreds of staff let go
At least 468 Omnicom staffers have been made redundant as part of an overhaul of its engineering and product teams, which built the platform to a third-party contractor, Endeva.
This comes alongside a layoff of roughly 50 US employees from the Omni platforms product and engineering division, plus engineering layoffs in Australia, the UK, and Malaysia.
Allwyn: UK appoints interim CEO
Allwyn UK has appointed Phil Walker as interim chief executive officer. This comes amid a transitional period for the company following former chief executive Andri Vidler’s resignation.
Allwyn UK has invested £450m in The National Lottery transformation, since being awarded the fourth National Lottery licence in September 2023, under Vidler.
Walker joins following six years at William Hill, holding positions such as UK and Ireland managing director, online managing director and chief commercial officer.
Publicis Groupe: Lizzie Dewhurst returns
Lizzie Dewhurst has been returned to Publicis Groupe Middle East’s as the chief marketing officer – a newly created role.
Bassel Kakish, chief executive officer, Publicis Groupe Middle East and Turkey, said, “Lizzie spent close to a decade within the Publicis Groupe ecosystem in global roles, and we’re excited to bring that experience to this region. She understands our business, our clients and the industry, and that combination will matter as we continue to transform how we work across the Middle East.”
Polymarket: Ex-Uber VP joins
Polymarket has hired Travis VanderZanden as chief growth officer.
VanderZanden is an ex-Uber vice president and has also previously held positions as chief operating officer of Lyft. He was also the founder of electric scooter company Bird.
Microsoft: AI chief market officer exits
Andrea Mallard, Microsoft’s chief AI marketing officer, has left the company after just six months, Business Insider reported.
Mallard is reportedly moving her family to Europe to be closer to her father.
Sephora: Stuart La Brooy steps down
Sephora’s chief marketing officer, Stuart La Brooy, has stepped down after four years leading the marketing division in Asia-Pacifc.
“After four amazing years leading marketing across Sephora APAC, today is my last day, and I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned as I close this chapter and start another,” he said.
