opr Reveals Two New Senior Appointments

opr has strengthened its leadership team by appointing Graham White [feature image right] to the newly created role of chief operating officer and Jacquie Potter [feature image left] as managing director of Howorth; a role that will be in addition to her responsibilities as opr’s chief growth officer.

opr has also strengthened its healthcare team with the appointment of leading healthcare communications professional Samantha Gale to the role of Associate Director, based in the Melbourne office.

opr CEO Richard Brett said having the right talent was integral to achieving opr’s goal to combine growth and innovation and maintain its position as the largest and most specialised integrated communications agency in Australia.

“I’m delighted we’re able to support talented senior professionals with new opportunities in the business. Graham celebrates two decades with opr in April and has successfully led Howorth for the past 15 years. His resolute focus on people, financial performance, client service and external reputation means he’s a brilliant choice for this new role, where he will take on responsibility for all operational aspects of opr, working closely with myself and our finance director,” he said.

“As CEO I need the best person to support in critical areas of the business, which ensures growth of our clients, our people and our reputation. Graham’s skills and his results-driven attitude will ensure he successfully combines this new role and his ongoing work with his existing client portfolio.”

White said: “After almost two decades in the agency, change is always good. It keeps us mentally sharp and continually evolving. I’m very proud of my achievements leading Howorth, keeping it on a strong growth trajectory and evolving our services so we remain relevant to our clients. Whilst I will miss holding those reins, I’m looking forward to working with Richard in this new role. It’s an exciting opportunity and one I’m already enjoying.”

Jacquie Potter, who spent more than a decade in Howorth now takes on the leadership of that business, in addition to her role as chief growth officer. After almost 14 years in the agency, which includes two years leading our Melbourne office, Potter has already demonstrated her combination of strong leadership and exemplary client skills, and an unwavering desire to bring out the best in her teams.

Brett said: “I’m thrilled Jacquie has accepted the role of Howorth’s managing director. She’s a natural replacement for Graham and will be ably supported by Howorth’s seasoned leadership team. I look forward to watching her continued development and how she can continue building Howorth as the country’s leading technology and B2B agency.”

Potter said: “Howorth is a fantastic business with a strong reputation as one of the leading technology communication agencies in Australia. Graham has done a brilliant job leading the Howorth business and I’m honoured to take this next step. Our agency is only ever as good as its people and we have a talented team who continue to inspire me with their creativity, strategy and drive. We’re restless in evolving the role of communications and how we deliver products and services to support communications and marketing teams in a changing landscape to help our clients move their business forward.”

Most recently with Cox Inall Change and prior to that Edelman, Gale brings a diverse mix of pharmaceutical and consumer health experience in what is a fast-growing part of the business. Originally from the UK, Gale was voted CommsCon PR Professional of the Year in 2017 and brings insights across nutrition, immunology, cardiology, haematology, oncology, neurology and dermatology to her team. She reports to opr’s healthcare Managing Partner, Rachel Stanton.

All roles are effective immediately.

Brett concluded: “Key to opr’s growth is having the best people so that we can continue to expand our fully integrated marketing communications capabilities and ensure our clients get best-in-class innovative work. This next decade will be an exciting period for the agency and our next growth phase. These appointments ensure we continue to evolve our leadership team so that we remain an energising and inspiring place to work.”

opr is part of WPP AUNZ.

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