Saatchi & Saatchi UK has appointed ex-MullenLowe CEO, Claire Hollands, as CEO. She will report to Charlie Rudd, CEO of Publicis Groupe UK’s creative practice.

Hollands joined MullenLowe in 2021 as managing director and became CEO one-and-a-half-years later. She has spearheaded a successful change agenda for the business, leading it through the integration of three agencies – MullenLowe London, MullenLowe Profero and MullenLowe Salt – into one operation.

Prior to MullenLowe, Claire spent 13 years at AMV BBDO, where she rose to chief client officer. She was responsible for leading many of the agency’s biggest global and domestic brands, including BT and Bacardi Global, and was heavily involved in the agency’s talent initiatives.

Claire launched her career with an internship at Publicis, before holding account management roles at agencies including Leo Burnett.

Charlie Rudd commented, , “We were very clear that for the next Saatchi’s CEO, we wanted a modern and progressive leader who comes with a proven track record in running successful agencies. Claire has an exceptional reputation, she is a real champion of creativity, and has exactly the leadership skills required to lead the agency in its next chapter.”  

Hollands added, “The Saatchi talent, creativity, and love for what they do is inspiring. I’ve been impressed by the quality of the client work, the strength of the client partnerships, and the ambition for progress and I look forward to working with the team to elevate this further.”

Hollands is also a trustee of the Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, which provides specialist nurses and support for seriously ill children.

Cover image l-r: Charlie Rudd & Claire Hollands