Richard Clarke joins HAVAS Australia as Chief Growth and Client Officer

HAVAS Australia announced the appointment of Richard Clarke as their new Chief Growth and Client Officer. This strategic move aims to bolster the agency's growth and client relations, bringing in a seasoned professional from their UK office to spearhead these efforts.

Richard Clarke's journey to HAVAS Australia is marked by significant achievements in the UK. Clarke, who spent over four years at HAVAS Red, most recently held the position of Managing Director for HAVAS Red London. His tenure at HAVAS Red was distinguished by notable accomplishments, including leading the award-winning NHS ‘Missing Type’ blood donation campaign, which was named ‘Campaign of the Decade’ by PRWeek. Under his leadership, HAVAS Red was also named EMEA Regional Midsize Agency of the Year earlier this year.

Before his time at HAVAS, Clarke was a senior partner at Ogilvy UK, where he honed his skills in client management and business growth. His career is characterized by a blend of strategic acumen and creative excellence, making him a perfect fit for his new role in Australia.

In his newly appointed role as Chief Growth and Client Officer, Clarke will focus on cross-Village growth, new business development, and the incubation of new service-based propositions. This role is critical for HAVAS Australia as they look to expand their footprint and enhance their service offerings.

“I am delighted and privileged to have been given the opportunity to move within HAVAS to Australia,” Clarke said. “We have a world-class roster of agencies, talent, clients, and opportunities, and I am already blown away by the incredible energy and ambition within HAVAS Village Australia. I look forward to working with outstanding leaders like James and the senior management teams to forge the next chapter of growth for the Group.”

Local CEO James Wright expressed his confidence in Clarke’s capabilities, citing his remarkable track record in the UK. “Richard did an unprecedented job growing the HAVAS Red UK business during his time there, as well as building phenomenal relationships with creative, media, digital, and health teams across the HAVAS Village in London. He is an excellent operator, brilliant with clients, and naturally brings agencies and teams together. Having him in this newly created position in Australia will ensure we are even better set up to service cross-agency clients and grow.”

Wright’s endorsement underscores the strategic importance of Clarke’s appointment. His ability to bridge different facets of the agency’s operations and foster collaboration will be instrumental in driving HAVAS Australia’s growth agenda.

HAVAS Australia's decision to bring in Clarke from their UK office highlights their commitment to leveraging global talent and expertise to enhance local operations. Clarke’s extensive experience and proven success in the UK market are expected to translate into significant gains for HAVAS Australia.

The role of Chief Growth and Client Officer is pivotal as it encompasses not only the development of new business opportunities but also the enhancement of client relationships. Clarke’s background in managing high-profile campaigns and building strong client networks will be invaluable in achieving these objectives.

One of Clarke’s key mandates will be to innovate service-based propositions. In a rapidly evolving industry, staying ahead of the curve is essential, and Clarke’s experience in leading creative and impactful campaigns will be a significant asset. His ability to identify and incubate new service offerings will help HAVAS Australia remain competitive and responsive to client needs.

Client satisfaction is another cornerstone of Clarke’s new role. His proven track record in client management and his ability to foster strong relationships will ensure that HAVAS Australia continues to deliver exceptional value to its clients. Clarke’s approach is expected to enhance the agency’s reputation for client service excellence.