MEC’s Tom George succeeds Nick Theakstone as GroupM’s UK CEO

GroupM, the media investment group of WPP, has appointed Nick Theakstone to the new role of global chief investment officer, while Tom George (pictured) will take on the role of UK CEO.

Theakstone, who has been GroupM’s UK CEO for the past 10 years, will oversee all aspects of the group’s global media investments, trading activities and commercial partnerships, which encompassed $108.2 billion in client billings in 2016.

He will be based in London and New York, and will report to GroupM’s global CEO Kelly Clark.

Tom George joins GroupM from MEC, where he has held various roles over the last 13 years – most recently as chairman for UK and Northern Europe, and global head of business development. Prior to that he was MEC’s UK CEO between 2005 and 2011, which recently merged with GroupM’s Maxus to form Wavemaker.

“I’m delighted that Nick and Tom will take on these important roles for GroupM,” Clark said.

“They are exceptional leaders, focused on creating advantage for clients and motivating opportunities for our people. Nick and Johan and their talented team will take our expanded investment operations to new heights, and I know Tom and our agencies will continue to build our successful UK business.”