Initiative Australia CEO Lee Leggett has made her first major hire since joining the agency, naming Damien Terakes as Client Partner.

Leggett joined Initiative in May and has since focused on the agency’s client partnerships, internal organisation, work and future strategy.

“Having the best people working with our clients is one of my few highest priorities and Damien’s decision to join Initiative shows the calibre of experience and talent I want to attract,” said Leggett. “He is a respected and talented professional who will be a major influence for us.”

Terakes is formerly General Manager at media agency Razor, where he had a long career as a client leader, also managing human resources and helping drive integration across creative and media businesses. With 25 years experience in the industry, his client leadership at Razor included Aussie Home Loans, Dyson, Nike, SBS, eftpos, Roche and The Sydney Opera House. He has won Media Federation of Australia awards for Navman and SBS.

Prior to Razor his client experience included Singapore Airlines, Audi, Pfizer, OPSM and the ABC.

“I was highly attracted to Initiative under Lee’s leadership and also the management team in place in all offices,” said Terakes. “At this stage the client partner role is an exciting change in my career and I am looking forward to joining the team.”

In his new role, Terakes will be based in Initiative’s Sydney office and will start work on August 4. Initiative also has offices in Melbourne and Perth.