M&C Saatchi has announced the promotion of Rachael Fraser to Head of Strategy.

Fraser recently returned to the agency following maternity leave. She has been with M&C Saatchi since 2015 and in that time has led strategy for clients including Optus, AIME and Commonwealth Bank.

Prior to joining the agency, Fraser worked for 72andSunny Amsterdam, Droga5 and DDB where she led the thinking across some of the world’s biggest brand portfolios including Unilever, Diageo, Tourism Australia, Volkswagen and Mondelez.

M&C Saatchi’s chief strategy officer, Justin Graham, said: “Rach has always been a strong voice on the direction of the work and the business and has the ability to nurture and allow great strategic talent to fly. Leadership is hard to teach, so when a senior member of the team has been fulfilling the role for some time, it is a no brainer to formally give them the opportunity.”

Fraser said: “I’ve always been blown away by the calibre of talent in our team so it’s humbling to lead such a brilliant bunch. In the last three years, I’ve seen first hand the power M&C Saatchi Group has to produce ideas that move beyond advertising, to create real cultural impact. Throw Cam, his skills and wicked sense of humour into the mix and I can’t wait to see what we can do together.”

Cam Blackley, chief creative officer, said: “It’s lovely to be reunited with Rach’s big brain and serene calmness. We are both massive believers in creative and strategy living in one another’s pockets to deliver audacious creative solutions. Watch this space.”