Stephen Woodford has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Advertising Association.
Woodford replaces current CEO Tim Lefroy, who announced in June that he will leave the post after seven years.
“Big changes – political and economic – mean that more than ever, all of us with a stake in advertising must look forward together,” said James Murphy, AA chairman and founder and CEO of adam&eveDDB.
“Stephen is a proven leader, an outstanding advocate and brings with him a wealth of experience on diversity, access and skills. We’re delighted to have got him.”
Woodford is currently on the board of Creative Skillset, the skills council for the creative industries, and serves on the board of the History of Advertising Trust.
[advert position=”left”]
Most recently chairman of Lexis PR and a founder and director of Ffrees, he was also IPA President between 2003 and 2005, a past president of NABS and has held management roles at agencies Leo Burnett, WCRS/Engine and DDB.
Woodford, who joins the AA from 1 November, said: “I am a great admirer of the AA’s work promoting the vital role and the responsibilities of our industry – a tribute to Tim and the AA Board’s leadership and the terrific team at the AA.
“I look forward to driving this agenda further and faster and am delighted to be joining at such an exciting time.”
Lefroy said: “James and the Board Nominations team ran an exhaustive selection with truly outstanding candidates.
“It’s a coup that they’ve secured a leader with the commercial, industry and policy-making experience that Stephen has. He will take the AA project from strength to strength.”
ISBA, the body that represents UK advertisers, welcomed Woodford’s appointment.
“We at ISBA know Stephen Woodford well, and have real pleasure in welcoming him to the CEO role at the UK Advertising Association,” said Ian Twinn, director of public affairs.
“Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge and deep understanding of the advertising business, whether that is from his direct experience in the agency world, or his appreciation of clients’ interests and those of the media. We look forward to working closely with him and the AA.”
