Global agency UM (Universal McCann) has appointed Susan Kingston-Brown as its new EMEA president, with incumbent Chris Skinner to step down effective immediately.

Skinner leaves UM after a long association with the agency which began in 2007 when he joined as managing director of its Hong Kong branch, before being named CEO of UM Middle East and North Africa in 2013 and EMEA president in 2017.

Kingston-Brown’s promotion from her previous role as CEO of UM’s London-based international client services division and Dyson’s global client lead will see her assume Skinner’s position on the UM global leadership team and IPG Mediabrands executive team.

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“UM is an agency with huge momentum. We work with some of the world’s most exciting brands and our network is brimming with exceptional people who are passionate about media as a source of growth and transformation,” Kingston-Brown said.

“I’m delighted to be taking on this new role to lead UM EMEA – working alongside our brilliant leaders across our OneUM community to drive growth and success in 2024 and beyond.”

Kingston-Brown will now report in to IPG Mediabrands EMEA CEO, Richard Morris, and UM global CEO, Andrea Suarez. UM’s international client service team, senior leadership team and the EMEA regional leadership team will now report in to Kingston-Brown.