MSQ Partners appoints Kate Howe to spearhead further growth

Kate Howe, Dentsu Aegis Network’s Exec Director, Creative & Content, CX & Commerce, is joining MSQ Partners to help further develop the Group’s ambitious growth plans. 

Howe will take on the role of Executive Director at MSQ, reporting directly into Chief Executive Peter Reid. She will take up the position in early February and will predominantly be based in MSQ’s London headquarters. She will also join the Board of MSQ Partners. 

Howe’s responsibilities will include helping to shape and implement MSQ’s ambitious growth strategy, working closely with Peter Reid and MSQ’s agency management teams. She will also have specific responsibilities for the development of MSQ’s market leading multi-disciplinary proposition and for identifying additional new business and growth opportunities across the Group. 

A highly respected business leader, Howe was most recently responsible for Dentsu Aegis Network’s roster of Creative, Content, CX and Commerce brands, which includes McGarrybowen, gyro, Isobar, BJL, John Brown Media and B2B International. She was also Chief Growth Officer for the Dentsu Aegis Network, driving the Group’s new business activity.  

Prior to that, Howe was the Chief Executive of gyro UK, the B2B agency that was acquired by Dentsu Aegis Network in 2016. She remained Chairman of gyro after leading the acquisition of B2B International and being promoted to her wider network role in 2018. 

Howe has over 25 years’ experience working at some of the UK’s biggest advertising agencies. She has been Managing Director of Leo Burnett, a Board Director of Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO and, immediately prior to the gyro role, Regional President of Europe for Draftfcb. 

She also spent four years as the Group Marketing Director of Gala Coral Group.

Peter Reid, the Chief Executive of MSQ said, “Kate’s arrival is a critical piece in the MSQ jigsaw. We are developing quickly and having Kate on board will help drive our ambitious plans forward even more rapidly. She’s a highly collaborative and inspirational leader who brings vast experience in helping agencies and networks grow. I couldn’t be more delighted.”

Howe said: “MSQ Partners is perfectly placed to offer clients the flexibility and collaborative thinking you get with smaller independents, but with the scale and deep expertise offered by a large network. With new investment and an ambitious management team it’s a very exciting time to be joining them.” 

Howe’s arrival follows significant investment in MSQ made earlier this year by leading mid-market private equity firm LDC. The investment is to support ambitious growth plans by bringing new talent and services to the Group, and has already sparked the arrival of a new Chairman in Charles Courtier, the former Global Chief Executive of MEC, and Simon Davis, former Blue 449 CEO. 

Source: MSQ Partners

  Agency News, Kate Howe, MSQ Partners, People News