M+C Saatchi builds transformation team

Global creative group M+C Saatchi has strengthened its specialist leadership team with three senior appointments spanning transformation, artificial intelligence, product and effectiveness.

Karen Boswell has been promoted to the newly created role of global chief transformation officer, having previously served as global chief executive for consulting, experience and performance.

She will lead the next development of the group’s Return on Cultural Power offering, alongside its approach to AI, data and product.

Karen joined M+C Saatchi in July 2025 and has more than 15 years’ transformation experience, including senior roles at VML, WPP’s The Pharm and adam&eveDDB.

Karen said: “The agency model has fundamentally changed. 

“Every brand is asking the same question: what is culture actually worth to my business? The answer always starts with people. 

“The ideas that move them, and the creative minds brave enough to make them.

“Return on Cultural Power gives us the thinking. 

“Now we’re building the data, the products and the agentic AI to prove its value for every client we work with. 

“Not to replace creative ingenuity, but to give it more reach, more speed and more proof than it has ever had. 

“Technology will rewrite how agencies work. Our job is to make sure people are still holding the pen.”

Sarah Ellis-Davies has been appointed global AI strategy, partnerships and product lead, responsible for developing M+C Saatchi’s AI strategy and product suite, building innovation partnerships and identifying new revenue opportunities.

She brings more than 20 years’ experience across innovation, marketing and emerging technology, while Nic previously spent more than four years at Nike before joining VML.

Nic English, who joined from VML in June, completes the team as head of effectiveness solutions, developing the data, tools and methodologies underpinning the group’s effectiveness offering.

Dame Heather Rabbatts, global executive chair at M+C Saatchi, added: “Our industry is changing what clients need from their agencies. 

“We’ve spent the past few years transforming and connecting M+C Saatchi. 

“Now we’re turning that foundation into new capabilities, stronger propositions and growth.

“Karen’s new role, alongside Sarah and Nic’s appointments, puts our biggest priorities in the hands of specialist leaders. 

“Great creative work has always been to our advantage. 

“From how we use AI and build products to how we prove the commercial value of cultural power, this is an investment in making that advantage count for our clients and our business.”

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