Andrew Long has moved up from ECD to CCO following the departure of Mark Elwood. The appointment is effective immediately. Long joined Leo UK in 2017, with creative partner, James Millers, who left to become ECD at McCann London in February. He became creative partner in 2023, and ECD in 2024. 2025 was Leo’s most awarded year ever.

Long has led creative for McDonald’s for the past six years and has helped to lead the agency’s creative output across many of its largest clients. At Cannes Lions this year, the agency won Gold, Silver and two Bronze Lions for its work with McDonald’s.

Before he joined Leo, Long spent three years at MullenLowe, creating awarded work for Knorr, British Heart Foundation and Persil. He began his career with seven years at M&C Saatchi.

Carly Avener, CEO at Leo UK, stated, “Andy is an exceptional creative talent and this promotion is a natural next step for him, and for Leo’s. He has been a driving force behind much of the different sort of work we’re making today, helping take our clients into more spaces and places than ever before. As we continue to build on our belief in Populist Creativity that gets people talking, there’s nobody better placed to lead our creative department into its next chapter.”

Andrew Long added, “After nearly a decade at Leo, I should probably know better than to be surprised by what this place is capable of. But the ambition, optimism and sheer talent here still surprise me every day. It’s a huge privilege to step into this role and help lead Leo into its next era. As brands face an ever-growing battle for attention, ideas that get people talking have never mattered more. That’s what Populist Creativity is all about, and I wholeheartedly believe no agency is better placed than Leo to deliver it.”

Cover image l-r: Andrew Long & Carly Avener