M&C Saatchi will lose its global chief executive officer and co-founder, Moray MacLennan, on September 30. Zillah Byng-Thorne, currently non-executive chair, will act as executive chair of the company from September 1 2023. The board of directors will begin the search for a new chief executive in due course.
Byng-Thorne commented, “On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Moray for his contribution to M&C Saatchi, from the founding of the Company in 1995 through to his current role as chief executive officer. His leadership has seen the Company not just stabilise but deliver record profits and establish strong foundations for future growth.”
MacLennan stated, “It has been a rare privilege to work for three decades with people I respect and like, creating work that has had an extraordinary impact on the world. M&C Saatchi is well set for the future and now is the right time to make way for fresh energy and ideas. Thanks to all past and present, and to those in the future who I know will keep the M&C Saatchi flame burning bright.”
Justin Graham, group chief executive officer, M&C Saatchi Group AUNZ, added, “I have enjoyed my time working with Moray and have learnt much about the business from him. He has provided excellent leadership to the Group since assuming the CEO role in 2010. I personally and professionally wish him the very best.
“We have an excellent leadership team in place, and with the appointment of Zillah Byng-Thorne as non-excutive chair and interim executive chair, I have no doubt that the business will continue to thrive as we transition to a new global CEO. The changes have no impact on the Australian and New Zealand operations of M&C Saatchi Group.” Moray MacLennan began his career in 1983 at Saatchi & Saatchi and spent twelve years there until the Saatchi brothers broke away from the original agency, when he became a member of the founding team at M&S Saatchi ad its UK chief executive officer. He became Europe CEO in 2004 and worldwide CEO in 2009. In 2020, he became CEO of M&C Saatchi PLC.
