Landor promotes global strategy chief

Global brand and design consultancy Landor, headquartered in London, has promoted James Withey to the newly created role of global executive vice president of strategy.

James will lead the WPP-owned consultancy’s global strategy team, overseeing its corporate, consumer and experience strategy specialisms.

He will also help develop the wider group’s approach to agentic artificial intelligence, supporting brands as they adapt to changing relationships between consumers, technology and businesses.

James brings more than 25 years’ experience spanning brand strategy, digital, research, innovation and consultancy leadership.

His previous roles include senior positions at FutureBrand and Siegel+Gale, alongside leading several consultancies and establishing his own brand advisory business.

He first joined Landor in 2001, spending almost a decade with the consultancy before returning in 2021.

Since rejoining, he has contributed to major brand transformation projects, including A&O Shearman and LeShuttle, while supporting new business growth.

In his expanded role, James will report to Jane Geraghty, global chief executive of WPP Brand & Design and Landor, and Amal Atallah, European president of WPP Brand & Design.

James said: “Brand strategy is becoming more important than ever. 

“As AI makes it easier to create, replicate and optimise, the challenge for brands is to have a genuinely differentiated idea at their core – one that can guide and connect what they say, what they do and the experiences they create.

“The opportunity now is to bring greater specialist depth to the different strategic challenges our clients face, while making sure those capabilities work together. 

“Corporate, consumer and experience strategy each demand different expertise, but ultimately they need to add up to one coherent brand. 

“I’m incredibly excited to work with our strategy leaders and teams around the world to build on the strength we already have and shape what comes next.”

Jane Geraghty, global chief executive, WPP brand and design added: “I couldn’t be more pleased; this is a very well earned promotion. James is a trusted, forward-thinking strategic advisor to our clients and is already shaping how we help brands win as AI increasingly influences the choices people make. 

“His unusually diverse background gives him the breadth to see where the industry is heading and the opportunities it creates. 

“At a moment of such significant change, he’s exactly the right person to lead our global strategy.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.