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Havas elevates Chris Hirst to CEO of global creative network

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By Katie Deighton, Senior Reporter

January 10, 2019 | 3 min read

The chief executive of Havas in the UK has been promoted to head up the organization’s creative global network.

Chris Hirst

Chris Hirst will remain at Havas' London base

Chris Hirst will oversee a staff of 8,500 across the international Havas Creative network, working alongside Peter Mears, chief executive of Havas Media Group, and Donna Murphy, chief executive of Havas Health & You.

Hirst’s expanded remit will see him develop Havas agencies’ creative reputation and operations, as well as strengthening the group’s global village model and forging further integration with company owner Vivendi.

Havas has also announced the creation of a global BETC network, which will run parallel to Havas Creative. Hirst will work closely with the new network’s leaders to ‘define how to best leverage the combined creative power’ of the group, according to a press release.

He will remain based at Havas’ UK ‘village’ in London’s Kings Cross.

“Chris is a transformative, world-class leader, who brings invaluable expertise that elevates our creative agencies and operations,” said Yannick Bolloré, chairman and chief executive of Havas Group. “His acumen will bring immense value to our clients and employees, not just in Europe but around the globe.”

Hirst added: “This is a fantastic time to be at Havas, and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to work with the teams around the world during such a defining stage of our development. Peter, Donna, and I will work closely to integrate our Havas Village model even further and deliver on our unique position in the market: being the most meaningful company for our clients and for our people.”

Hirst joined Havas as chief executive in 2015. He previously ran Grey London in the same role from 2010, having joined as managing director in 2003.

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