Creative agency TBWA\London has announced the departure of Raquel Chicourel, from the role of Chief Strategy Officer (CSO).

Chicourel said she is leaving to care for her daughter, who is in a London hospital being treated for Anorexia.

According to the agency, she spoke out about her decision to leave so she can raise awareness of eating disorders and encourage discussion on the subject.

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In a media statement, she said: “Anorexia is a cruel, debilitating and life-threatening illness. It is not a vanity choice, it is not just an illness of the body. It’s a mental health condition with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder for under-18s in the UK. But it doesn’t get the noise, understanding or funding it deserves.”

“By being open about my reason for leaving, I want to start a vital conversation about this, because there will definitely be more people in this industry suffering than just me. And if raising this issue now helps just one other person feel like they are not handling that suffering alone, then that brings some light to these darkest of times,” she added.

Chicourel will also be fundraising for the two hospitals caring for her daughter.

“So, after a lot of deliberation, I have decided to take some time off to care for my daughter full time and be there for her and my family, as she begins her road to recovery,” she said.

“I want to thank everyone at TBWA\London for making the past 18 months as brilliant as possible given all I was going through, and for the love and support I have received.”