CEO and co-founder of M&C Saatchi Moray MacLennan steps down

CEO and co-founder of global performance marketing agency M&C Saatchi Moray MacLennan (pictured) has left the agency after just over 28 years, according to MacLennan in a LinkedIn post. 

"As I approach 40 years of Saatchi, in many ways it feels like precisely the wrong time to move on, but I have decided it is precisely the right time," he wrote. "M&C Saatchi has delivered an impressive turnaround, come through its existential moment, and is well set for the future – now is the right time to make way for new energy and new ideas."

Don't miss: M&C Saatchi Performance promotes APAC MD Kabeer Chaudhary to global CEO

He added that it has been a privilege to work for so many years doing something he enjoys and with people he likes at this "extraordinary" company.

MacLennan has played a crucial role in the development of the agency over the last years. He started at M&C Saatchi in 1995 as one of the founding members and took on the role of UK CEO. After nine years in the role, he moved on to become CEO of Europe. In 2009, MacLennan took on the role of worldwide CEO where he was responsible for the agency's global network operatins across 30 countries. He focused on its worldwide growth strategy including global acquisitions and start-up businesses.

In 2020, MacLennan was named the CEO of M&C Saatchi PLC, a role that he held till he announced that he would be stepping down. 

Chairman Zillah Byng-Thorne will move from non-executive chair to executive chair as M&C Saatchi continues to look for a replacement, according to MacLennan.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for more information. 

The news comes shortly after M&C Saatchi Performance promoted its managing director for APAC, Kabeer Chaudhary, to the role of global chief executive officer. Chaudhary takes the reins from James Hilton, the current CEO and founder of M&C Saatchi Performance, who will continue his role as chairman of the agency. 

Chaudhary has been with M&C Saatchi Performance since 2015 and has served in the role of managing director APAC for the past two years. Under his guidance, the agency strengthened its positioning in the region onboarding clients across different verticals, it said in a statement. 

In his new remit, Chaudhary will continue to be based out of Singapore and will be responsible for managing the agency’s operations across APAC, Middle East, Europe and the U.S. He will also work closely with the global leadership and the country heads to evolve the agency’s global proposition.

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