The Advertising Association hires new commercial director

Following the appointment of Unilever’s Keith Weed as president, the Advertising Association (AA) has appointed Sharon Lloyd Barnes as its new commercial director.

Lloyd Barnes co-founded The Drive Partnership, a consultancy working with businesses across a range of sectors to build profitable growth. Her role at the AA will be to manage and grow its commercial side, ensuring the value of the AA’s work reflects and supports its members’ business goals.

She will report to CEO Stephen Woodford, who said: ‘Sharon has the personality, the drive and the experience to help the AA continue to grow our work on behalf of our members, keeping us as closely aligned to their priorities as possible.”

Lloyd Barnes added: “I’m looking forward to building on the strong relationships already established – and unlocking the AA’s future growth potential. I’m also very happy to be joining a team so passionate and committed to the work they do.”

The organisation’s former commercial director, Ged Glover, will be leaving after eight years to join a new start-up business.