Kate Sheppard has joined indie full-service agency Enigma as its Sydney managing director from Connecting Plots, where she also served as MD.
Sheppard has more than two decades’ experience building enduring client partnerships and orchestrating large integrated teams across business management, creative, strategy, media, and related disciplines.
Her career has spanned categories including QSR, FMCG, travel, retail, professional services, and government.
Her time at Connecting Plots followed a 20-year tenure at DDB, where she formed a highly regarded leadership partnership with Dom Hickey – now Enigma’s chief strategy officer – while running the bespoke Omnicom agency for J&J ANZ across creative and media.
In her new role, Sheppard will work closely with CEO and Founder Lisa Sutton Gardner, Hickey, chief creative Simon Lee and chief media officer Justin Ladmore.
“In many ways, this is a role that I’ve been preparing for my whole career,” said Sheppard.
“Lisa has set me and the team a bold challenge in a tough market – one that calls for the perspective and rigour I honed leading big, complex businesses in network agencies, as well as the adaptability and pace I have wholeheartedly embraced with my recent indie experience. Reuniting with Dom Hickey, someone I deeply respect and have a proven track record with, was a powerful draw, as was Simon and Justin’s commitment to creative and media integration that yields Unignorable Work that drives dial shifting commercial impact.”
Enigma said the move will strengthen its Sydney offering. Jack Mason remains as MD of Enigma’s Newcastle creative shop along with Amy Dascanio as MD of Enigma’s Media division.
