Leo Burnett has elevated its executive head of print and art buying, Jeremy de Villiers, to group operations director following Amir Mireskandari’s move to M&C Saatchi.

In a statement sent to B&T Todd Sampson said Mireskandari’s departure has been on the cards for sometime. News of his move to M&C Saatchi comes just three months after Leo Burnett re-claimed the sizeable Woolworths account.

“Amir and I had been working on his next step knowing it was not inside our company. He is a good guy and very talented, and I wish him all the best,” Todd Sampson, CEO Leo Burnett Australia, said.

“Jeremy de Villiers will be stepping into the role of Group Operations Director and has been groomed for the position over the past year.”

De Villiers has been with Leo Burnett since September 2011 when he joined as executive print producer from Moon Communications Group.

In November 2012 he was promoted to executive head of print and art buying.

On LinkedIn Mireskandari warmly recommends his successor describing him as a “natural-born leader” who is “business savvy, financially responsible and creatively driven”.

“Jeremy has a very bright future in the advertising business – watch this space!”

For more on Mireskandari’s appointment at M&C Saatchi read the agency’s statement here.