Kelly Knight takes up new Chief Diversity & HR Officer role at AMV BBDO

Kelly Knight has been named as AMV BBDO’s first Chief Diversity and HR Officer, with a brief to work with senior leadership at the agency to ramp up its work building a culture which is inclusive, celebrates and recognises diversity. Her responsibilities also include ensuring that AMV’s services and strategy are aligned to the agency’s cultural goals. She reports to Sarah Douglas, CEO.

Kelly has spent her career working in human resources and was appointed by AMV as HR Director in 2006. As well as championing HR initiatives at AMV, Kelly is active in industry-wide campaigns to make careers in advertising more accessible to people who are under-represented.

She was part of the IPA’s Creative Skillset Working Party, which developed the first advertising apprenticeship in 2012, and is now a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships. Kelly also sits on the IPA’s Creative Pioneers Board and is a member of the association’s Future of Talent Strategy Group.

In March, Campaign named Kelly (and Sarah Bauer) the Talent Management Team of the Year 2020, and in 2019 she was Campaign’s Talent Person of the Year. Earlier this year she was included on the inaugural IPA iList, which recognises individuals for their game-changing dedication to improving the diversity and inclusivity of the advertising industry. 

Kelly Knight, Chief Diversity & HR Officer at AMV BBDO, said: “Diversity, equality and inclusion is in my DNA. From the moment I started at AMV I worked with the IPA to address the lack of diversity in our industry.  I’m delighted that this is being formally recognised and I will strive to continue to work with my agency and the wider industry in the pursuit of equality.”

Sarah Douglas, Chief Executive at AMV BBDO, said: “Kelly is the consummate human resources professional. Along with that, she has a vision for how our industry in general, and AMV in particular, can build a more diverse workforce and a culture that is truly inclusive, as well as the skills to make her vision a reality. This promotion is recognition of her achievements as well as signifying the continuing commitment AMV has to building the best possible workplace. Congratulations Kelly, and here’s to many more years working together.”

Source: AMV BBDO

  AMV BBDO, Diversity, Kelly Knight