LONDON — Red Havas has expanded its senior UK bench with the appointment of Richard Clarke to the newly-created position of executive director.

Clarke was formally client partner at Ogilvy London, leading the global consumer brands element of the agency’s Walgreens Boots Alliance account.

In his new role, Clarke will sit on the UK management team, leading new business, strategy and client service across blue-chip corporate and consumer accounts.

He has worked with brands including American Express, Procter and Gamble and L’Oréal, and on award-winning campaigns including the NHS ‘Missing Type’ blood donation project, and launching Baby Dove in the UK.

The appointment comes one year after the global launch of Red Havas, a micro-network within the Havas group, including the establishment of a new London office offering corporate and consumer PR, social, data analytics and content capabilities.

Clarke reports into Red Havas London MD Rachael Sansom, who said: “After an exciting period of growth we wanted to expand the senior bench in London, and given Richard’s breath of integrated brand and agency experience he is the perfect fit for the role. Having someone of his calibre to lead our Merged Media offering in market will be instrumental to our continued success. His talent and skill will add value not only to our growing team, but our valued clients as well.”

Clarke added: “I am thrilled to be joining Red Havas at such an exciting time – the combination of a start-up mentality but with the backing of Havas globally is a unique combination. I couldn’t be more excited to work alongside an entrepreneurial, hungry and talented team to deliver meaningful work for clients.”