Publicis Media has announced the appointment of Pete Edwards as the new chief executive of Spark Foundry UK as Lindsay Turner walks away after a little more than a year in the role.
Edwards joined the agency in June 2019 as chief client officer after a two-year stint as CEO of Engine Media UK. Prior to that, he led the group’s strategy for a number of years including the consolidation of its media offering to launch Engine Media in 2017. He has also held roles at Starcom and BBH’s media arm.
Edwards takes over from Turner who has decided to step down and leave the business at the end of May. Although her career spans nine years with Publicis, Turner only took on the role as CEO in April last year following the surprise resignation of Blue 449 and Spark Foundry boss Simon Davis. Turner subsequently oversaw a merger of the two businesses earlier this year.
“In Pete, we have someone who knows the business and our clients well, who has a deep understanding of the marketplace, and a wealth of leadership experience and track record to take the agency from strength to strength,” said Sue Frogley, chief executive officer, Publicis Media UK, to whom Edwards will report.
“I’d like to thank Lindsay for everything she has done since joining the agency in 2011, which she leaves in excellent shape with a strong leadership team in place. We are all sad to see Lindsay go and will miss her energy and passion but we respect her decision and wish her the very best for the future.”
Edwards said: “Over the past year, we brought together two successful agencies to give our clients the best of both worlds. With the right talent, culture and proposition now in place, I feel incredibly proud to have the chance to lead this agency going forward.”
Meanwhile, Turner added: “I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing people and do some great work over my nine years with the agency. After leading a successful merger, navigating a year of change for the organisation and emerging even stronger, now felt like the right time for me to step down.
“I’ll be leaving with some great memories and experiences under my belt and I’m ready for the next challenge.”
