Saatchi & Saatchi has named Sarah Jenkins as its new chief operating officer, as it endeavours to drive operational growth for the business.
In her new role, Jenkins will focus on operational transformation as the agency moves into a key growth period.
Having joined Saatchi & Saatchi as managing director in 2019, Jenkins has helped see new business wins for the agency including John Lewis, Direct Line, Subway and the British Heart Foundation.
She also helped co-found the agency’s school platform Upriser, which acts as a long term sustainable programme engineered to inspire students to pursue creative careers.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Tapper has been promoted to the leadership team, from his role as managing partner, and will now oversee the day to day running of the agency including profit and loss, departments, squads and specialist functions.
Having worked at Saatchi & Saatchi since 2020, Tapper has led on some of the agency’s largest clients including the launch of New EE in October 2023, as well as leading on some of the agency’s biggest recent wins including Ovo, Churchill and TNT Sports.
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Prior to working at Saatchi & Saatchi, Tapper rose through the ranks of Wieden & Kennedy, AMV BDDO, BBH and Ogilvy.
Both Jenkins and Tapper will report to CEO James Denton-Clark.
Denton Clark said: “We have plenty planned for 2024 and I’m excited for the critical role both Sarah and Jonathan will play in steering Saatchi & Saatchi into our next chapter.”
Jenkins added: “Alongside the leadership team, it’s beyond a privilege to help power up Saatchi as the agency, and indeed the industry, leans into its next chapter.”
“Smarter commerciality and better systems is an imperative, but advertising is a talent game and it’s feeling pretty cool to know that my ultimate KPI is to ensure that our talent get more unlocks and can lean into more exceptional opportunities if I get this role right.”
Tapper added: “Last year proved that ‘nothing is impossible for us’. I’m so proud to be helping lead this talented team as we continue to raise the bar.”
