The UK arm of global media and marketing firm, Mindshare, which is part of public relations company WPP, has announced changes to its senior leadership team. Joanna Lyall has been promoted to the newly created UK managing director role and Richard Kelly, head of exchange, joins the leadership team.

Recent product and service developments such as the launch of Mindshare 'FAST,' 'Purpose' and 'Grow' saw a the need to create a UK MD role, bringing together individual teams to enhance client relationships and commercial growth across the agency.

Joanna Lyall was previously chief commercial officer for Mindshare UK and joined the agency in 1998. Lyall has been instrumental in tailoring how Mindshare connects and communicates with its clients. She is a co-creator of Huddle, Mindshare’s annual festival of ideas, and is now responsible for leading Mindshare’s ‘Grow’ offering, which works with start-ups and fast growth businesses.

The promotion of Richard Kelly to the leadership team sees Mindshare focus on delivering market leading value for clients’ investment and the importance of execution to the agency's success.

Joanna Lyall, says, “Having seen Mindshare continually grow and change from a start-up to the business that we are today, I am hugely ambitious and optimistic for our future. We are just at the beginning of a new era for our agency and I could not be prouder to be the new MD.  Media agencies are under pressure to evolve and redefine their role in a challenging and changing landscape. The breadth of talent and expertise we have in our business puts us in a very strong position.”

Richard Kelly says, “I am delighted to take up this new challenge and further develop our vision to invent the future of media across the market with our media partners. I am determined to deliver not only unrivalled value for our clients, but also a more valuable experience for people in Mindshare.”

Helen McRae, CEO at Mindshare, says, “I am thrilled that both Jo and Rich have taken on these roles at Mindshare.  This is the start of a new chapter for Mindshare and I feel lucky to have such a strong team in place that is ready for the future."

Mindshare UK’s leadership team now comprises the below, all of whom report to Helen McRae, UK CEO:

-              Joanna Lyall, UK MD

-              Richard Kelly, head of exchange

-              Matt Andrews, chief strategy officer

-              Jennifer Healy, chief talent officer

-              David Walsh, chief business officer

-              Tony Gaymer, chief financial officer