M&C Saatchi CEO Moray MacLennan is to step down from his role and retire after having spent 40 years in various roles across the Saatchi brand.
Former Future CEO and current non-executive chair of M&C Saatchi, Zillah Byng-Thorne will take up the temporary role of executive chair on 1 September, with MacLennan due to leave at the end of that month.
Having served as the agency’s UK CEO since January 2021, MacLennan has worked under the Saatchi name since joining as a trainee in 1983.
Rising to become managing director by the mid-90s, MacLennan was part of the founding team behind M&C Saatchi in 1995, which included Maurice and Charles Saatchi.
“As I approach 40 years of Saatchi in many ways it feels like precisely the wrong time to move on, but I have decided it is precisely the right time,” MacLennan said.
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“M&C Saatchi has delivered an impressive turnaround, come through its existential moment, and is well set for the future – now is the right time to make way for new energy and new ideas. It has been a privilege to work for so many years doing something I enjoy, with people I like, at this extraordinary company. Thanks to all clients and colleagues, past and present.”
MacLennan’s decision comes after a rough patch for the firm, which has seen multiple buyout attempts by Next15 and majority shareholder Vin Murria fail in the last 18 months.
Whilst MacLennan’s decision was amicable according to Campaign, his sudden departure will however mean that M&C Saatchi will need to embark on an unplanned transition period, with a new CEO expected to be appointed within 12 months.
On Byng-Thorne’s appointment, an M&C Saatchi spokesperson added: “Zillah has a wealth of experience across media and technology businesses.
“Her breadth of her experience across executive and non-executive roles, combined with transformation and digital expertise, mean she is well placed to work with the wider board and steward M&C Saatchi’s next phase.”
