One of Adland’s biggest players, both figuratively and literally, is calling time on his career with M&C Saatchi. Jaimes Leggett [feature image right] will finish up at the agency he moved to Australia to run in 2013 when his contract expires in July this year.
“The past seven years have been nothing short of inspiring. I have worked with some extraordinary people – both within our business and in our client partnerships – and am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved,” Leggett said.
“Thanks to the hard work, talent and passion of everyone at M&C Saatchi, we have produced an amazing body of work, hired some great talent and seen consistent year-on-year growth across the Group.
“I’ve loved being a part of M&C Saatchi. There’s no perfect time to make a move like this, but with the rate of accelerating change in the world right now, it’s important that we get ahead of it and allow the new leadership team to set the platform for the business’ future.”
Born in Botswana and schooled in South Africa, Leggett and his family moved to New Zealand when he was 13 and then on to London at 18.
When he took the role of CEO M&C Saatchi Australia, taking over the day-to-day running of the business from the two Toms, McFarlane and Dery, M&C was going through a pretty rough patch.
However under Leggett’s stewardship, the group has flourished and enjoyed double digit growth under his tenure.
Picking up the prestigious B&T Agency of the Year Grand Prix award two years on the trot in 2014 and 2015, M&C Saatchi and Leggett alike were no strangers to awards and accolades under his reign.
Leggett also served as the chairman of the Communications Council from 2015 until 2018.
M&C Saatchi’s Chief Strategy Officer, Justin Graham [feature image left], will step up to the group CEO role being vacated by Leggett.
Of Graham’s appointment, Leggett said: “Justin is a gun. He’s smart, good around the work and great with people. We’ve had a close partnership for the last six years. He’s one of the best strategic thinkers in the market, and I’ve no doubt he will continue to deliver that direction to both ours and our clients’ business.”
Commenting on his appointment, Graham added: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside Jaimes. I’d like to thank him for his long-time partnership, his guidance, his friendship, and most notably his encouragement to transition me into an increasingly operational role over the last few years. On a personal note, I will miss him in the office, but I am excited about the next big chapter for him.
“The opportunity to lead the M&C Saatchi Group in Australia and NZ is an honour due to its legacy in this market and unique approach to partnering with some of the nation’s most iconic brands. And what a time of change in the world to be stepping into the role.
“I believe there is enormous opportunity to create value for our clients, more so now than ever, and that will only be possible by continuing to attract and build talent unlike any other. To bring the Saatchi philosophy to the next chapter of how we partner with the business leaders of today and tomorrow is an incredible privilege.”
M&C Saatchi Global CEO Moray MacLennan added: “Thank you to Jaimes for driving the record-breaking growth we have seen in the Australian business. He, more than most, embodies our global position as home to the creative entrepreneur. I wish him the best for his next endeavour. He’s going to be missed. And I’d like to welcome Justin to the CEO position. Justin has an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the business and is the perfect person to continue the agency’s momentum.”
