First ever woman President elected for IPA
Nicola Mendelsohn, chairman and partner of Karmarama, has been nominated to succeed Rory Sutherland as President of the IPA.
She is the first woman to be nominated for the post and will serve a two-year term from 24 March next year as part of the IPA’s AGM proceedings.
Rory Sutherland will then formally make the handover on the 6 April when she will share her manifesto with IPA members at the annual Members’ lunch.
The announcement comes at the end of a formal three-month selection process by the Presidential Nominating Committee which was led by Immediate Past President Moray MacLennan of M&C Saatchi.
Said Mendelsohn: “I feel truly humbled, honoured and thrilled to have been chosen to be the first, in hopefully a long line of, female Presidents of the IPA. I'm looking forward to the exciting challenge and responsibilities ahead.”
MacLennan added: “We are delighted that Nicola has agreed to be the next IPA President. She has been a highly active and effective member of the IPA Council, is a well known face in the industry, and I know she will do an excellent job.”
A Manchester girl born and bred, Mendelsohn graduated with a degree in English and Drama from Leeds University in 1992. She began her career at BBH reaching Board Director level before leaving to join Grey London where she was promoted to Deputy Chairman in June 2004. In April 2008 she joined Karmarama as a Partner and Chairman.
She is also Chair of the Corporate Board of Women's Aid and has four children Gabi, Danny, Sam and Zac.
See an earlier interview with Mendelsohn from the IPA’s Moment With series.