Vicki Maguire, the chief creative officer of Havas London, is leaving the agency after five years. She joined Havas in January 2020 from Grey London, where she had worked for a decade. She was promoted to deputy CD in 2013 beside Dave Monk, became ECD in 2015 and promoted to CCO in 2017 with Carlone Pay, who left the agency in 2018.

Some of the standout work created under Maguire’s guidance at Havas includes, Have your elf a merry Christmas for Asda in 2022, with Will Ferrell reprising his role as Buddy:

…and the multi-awarded Me, my autism & I for Vanish, that won Channel 4’s Diversity in Advertising Award.

Earlier creative triumphs include her Staying Alive film for the British Heart Foundation that aimed to improve survival rates from cardiac arrest by teaching the public to perform chest compressions to the rhythm of the Bee Gees’ song, Stayin’ Alive, and The Angina Monologues, also for the BHF, that won a coveted British Comedy Award. She also oversaw the creative team behind the UN’s People Seat campaign with Sir David Attenborough, for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP24) in December 2018, unique initiative to give a global voice to ordinary people on climate action.

She is a fierce ally of women and advocate for equality in the industry.

Something seems not quite right within Havas London. Maguire’s departure follows a string of exits over the past year – James Fox, CEO; Britt Eversen, executive head of strategy; Elliot Harris, creative partner & ECD for Reckitt’s; Catherine Peacock, chief client officer; and Hollie Loxley, managing director.