Chris Hirst has been appointed CEO for the Havas Creative Global Network, at the end of last week, effective immediately. He succeeds in this responsibility Yannick Bolloré, who took on his father’s role as Chairman of Vivendi’s Supervisory Board last year.
Most recently Hirst was CEO, Havas Europe and CEO, Havas Group UK. In his expanded global role, he will lead the 8,500 talents that make up the Havas Creative network across the world and further develop its agencies’ creative reputation and operations.
“Chris will work in tandem with Peter Mears, CEO Havas Media Group, and Donna Murphy, CEO Havas Health & You, to continue
strengthening and developing Havas Group’s global Village model and integration within Vivendi”, explained Yannick Bolloré (Chairman & CEO Havas Group),who informed as well on the creation of a new global network joining Havas and BETC strengths in creativity.
“Moreover, as BETC, founded by Mercedes Erra and Remi Babinet, is experiencing a huge momentum from a business and creative reputation standpoint, the group has decided to create another global network alongside Havas Creative and support its development to build a new opportunity for clients and talents. BETC and Chris will work closely, and they will together define how to best leverage the combined creative power of our group”, Bolloré said
Transformative world class leader
Chris Hirst joined Havas in 2015 from Grey Group where he was CEO of the company’s operations in the UK. He has since spearheaded the restructuring of Havas Europe, as well as the transformation of the Group’s UK business. Under his leadership, 10 Havas agencies in the UK have been successfully integrated under a single P&L and relocated to new headquarters at King’s Cross in London.
“Havas UK has become one of the most exciting and dynamic groups in the UK. In 2018, Havas was among the top new business performers in the market. Chris is a transformative, world-class leader, who brings invaluable expertise that elevates our creative agencies and operations. His acumen will bring immense value to our clients and employees, not just in Europe but around the globe,” said Yannick Bolloré, Chairman & CEO Havas Group”, Yannick Bolloré underscored and continued: “Creativity is not only at the heart of everything that we do at Havas, it is also the common denominator of all the assets within the Vivendi family. Ideas and talent will always fuel our Group, and Chris will bring his knowledge to the broader global network.”
During Hirst tenure at Grey London as CEO, the agency went from being a failing, ‘safe but dull’ agency to the hottest creative shop in the city. During his 6 years as CEO, Grey London was the fastest growing agency in London. The shop doubled its size. It was named IPA agency of the year in 2014.
He has been CEO and Chairman of Havas UK and Europe since 2017. As UK CEO he has led 1,800 people across both Creative and Media disciplines working within the European HQ in Kings Cross.
“This is a fantastic time to be at Havas, and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to work with the teams around the world during such a defining stage of our development. Peter, Donna, and I will work closely to integrate our Havas Village model even further and deliver on our unique position in the market: being the most meaningful company for our clients and for our people,” Chris Hirst said.
After a decade in CEO positions Hirst has a proven track record of leading transformation, guiding his businesses to deliver reputational change, growth and a culture of enduring success. He is now widely recognized as an innovative and inspirational leader.
A believer in open culture and social mobility, who accepts fail as a need to succeed
Chris Hirst went to his local state secondary school in Northumberland, before heading to Brasenose College Oxford to study Engineering Science. After an apprenticeship at Pilkington Glass in St. Helens he embarked on (an unlikely) career in advertising.
After a decade establishing his ability in outstanding account management, Chris went to Harvard Business School (2008) where he developed his unique and now proven, approach to leadership.
He believes in the principles of an open culture, where people are given permission to thrive and take risks, accepting that mistakes are a necessary part of success.
He is actively engaged in broadening the appeal of the
advertising industry and sees diversity and social mobility as key factors in the future health of the creative industries in the UK and Europe.
Chris Hirst is the current Chairman of the IPA Effectiveness Leadership Group, holds a seat on the council of the Creative Industries Federation and the IPA Council; is a member of the board at Vivendi and a trustee of the MOBO Foundation.
He also holds a number of non-exec positions within the
startup community.
The new is a regular speaker at industry events and commentator in national press including BBC News, ITV News, The Politics Show, Evening Standard,FT and Sky News.
Image over the headline.- Chris Hirst (CEO Havas Glonbal Creative Network). © Havas Group
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