The latest round up of people moves include Publicis London, ITV, WPP, and Liverpool FC all make big moves this week
Katie Hibbard has been promoted to chief strategy officer for Publicis London. She previously held a position as the agency’s head of strategy.
This position was left empty when Alison Head, left the company at the beginning of 2025.
Hibbard has previously held roles at Ogilvy & Mather (now just Ogilvy) and Jam at Engine as planning and account director.
She will work closely with chief exec Trent Patterson and chief creative officer Noël Bunting to launch Publicis London’s new research initiative, World Class.
Other notable people moves:
Meta: Emily Dalton Smith leaves
Meta’s Emily Dalton Smith, who has been with the company since 2015, has resigned.
Dalton Smith served as head of products for ‘AI for work’ transformation – just two months after undertaking the task.
ITV: Director of advanced ads exits
ITV’s director of advanced advertising, Rhys McLachlan, is set to leave the broadcaster spending six years at the organisation.
McLachlan, who has not stated where he is moving to but did write on LinkedIn: “I’ve accepted a hugely exciting opportunity which will be truly transformative for creators, rights holders, broadcasters and streamers.”
Liverpool FC: Hannah Pym as SVP marketing and digital
Liverpool FC has hired Hannah Pym as senior vice president, marketing and digital.
She joins the club from The Hut Group, where she held a senior executive role and was instrumental in delivering digital growth, brand development and product innovation across multiple markets.
Pym will be responsible for leading LFC’s marketing, media, product, technology, fan services and experience teams.
WPP: Baiju Shah as new group chief strategy officer
Baiju Shah, global chief executive officer of design company AKQA, has been named as WPP’s group chief strategy officer.
Shah will continue his role as chief executive for the design agency (also part of WPP), and will also lead the holding company’s long-term strategy.
Bauer: Co-CEOs replaced
Amrit Baidwan has replaced co-CEOs Helen Morris and Steve Prentice as chief executive of the publisher.
“This is a business I believe in deeply, and a role I am immensely privileged to accept,” she said in a LinkedIn post.
“Publishing is evolving and the landscape is shifting. With the strength of our brands, the creativity and talent of our people and the ambition across Bauer we’re perfectly placed not just to adapt but to Lead.”
Irisi London: Multiple leadership hires
Global creative agency Iris London has strengthened its leadership team with the appointments of Ali Proctor-Walsh as head of operations and Vicci Whitlow as head of production.
Proctor-Walsh has over 18 years of experience with senior roles including production and creator marketing lead, EMEA at Meta Creative Shop and executive producer at Nexus Studios.
While Whitlow, who has more than 20 years experience in leading creative agencies, joins from Production at Karmarama / Accenture Song UK, where she was head of integrated and working on clients such as the British Army. Confused.com, Peugeot and Lidl.
Left: Ali Proctor-Walsh and far right: Vicci Whitlow
