Saatchi & Saatchi has promoted long-standing strategist Sam Wise to the role of chief strategy officer (CSO).

Wise, who joined in 2013 as planning director, has spent more than a decade shaping the agency’s strategic direction. He became head of strategy in 2016, before stepping up to executive strategy director last year. In that role, he focused on driving growth for both Saatchi & Saatchi and cross-agency Power of One clients.

As CSO, Wise will lead the agency’s strategy function and play a central role in its growth across key accounts including EE, the British Heart Foundation and John Lewis. He will report directly to Saatchi & Saatchi CEO, Claire Hollands.

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“Sam brings a potent combination of strategic ambition and creative drive. His vision for how strategy can fuel growth and help clients realise their impossible ambitions makes him the ideal person to lead our thinking in our next chapter,” said CEO Claire Hollands, “I’m very pleased to see him step into this role and am confident that his leadership will strengthen our offering and impact.”

Wise said, “It is a huge privilege to be taking on this role after 12 years calling Saatchis home. Strategy should be the engine of growth, not just in our agency but in the industry as a whole. I believe in our momentum, I believe in my teammates, and there’s no place I’d rather be to feel optimistic about the future.”

The agency has also appointed Louise Hawthornwaite as operations and delivery director. She will be tasked with evolving operational practices to boost efficiency and support excellence across the business.