menu

The Client

A leading creative global communications agency, spanning a wide range of sectors including food & drink, lifestyle, FMCG, and travel. With over 200 staff across 9 cities and partnerships in more than 60 markets worldwide, the agency delivers award-winning campaigns to clients globally.

Challenges

The agency was seeking to recruit a Head of Client Strategy who could guide clients toward new opportunities through insightful, innovative, and passionate connections. After undergoing a transformation over the past year, they were looking for a Client Strategy Director to help them deliver a multi-channel integrated offering, feeding these capabilities into their campaigns. The ideal candidate needed to possess dynamic leadership, a proven track record in marketing/PR, brand reputation, and new business development, as well as the ability to drive the agency’s innovation forward.

The Public Relations team at Hanson Search had worked in partnership with the agency for several years, having recruited most of the senior leadership team. Together, they agreed on conducting a UK-wide search to find a highly specific candidate with the right skills and the leadership gravitas to inspire teams.

Solutions

Supported by a comprehensive research team, we conducted a thorough market mapping of Client Strategists, Directors, Senior Directors, and Managing Directors across large global and smaller integrated agencies. Key skills for the role included experience working in an integrated model, with capabilities in design, advertising, social media, digital, video, and podcasting, alongside a strong track record in new business conversion.

Our screening process was meticulous, considering not only past successes but also cultural fit within the agency. In total, five candidates were shortlisted and presented. Two of these candidates progressed to the final interview stage of a four-step rigorous process. Ultimately, an offer was extended to a candidate who not only possessed the necessary skills but also had the gravitas to lead the agency’s transformation.

Results

The agency sought to invest in a board director who could enhance and transform their multi-channel integrated offering. By carefully considering the agency’s needs and leveraging our deep market knowledge, we were able to target individuals and agencies that already had the requisite skills.

Our consultative approach reassured the client that the market had been thoroughly mapped and all suitable candidates had been shortlisted. The selected candidate possessed exceptional skills, coupled with an entrepreneurial mindset, enabling them to collaborate with various departments and strategically drive brand growth.

Hanson Search is a leading talent advisory and executive search consultancy with consultants based across the UAE, UK, USA, and Europe. We specialise in business-critical roles that drive revenue, reputation, and risk. We have dedicated teams in Communications, Government Relations, Financial Communications, Public Affairs, Marketing, Digital Marketing, and Sustainability

Looking to hire exceptional talent or explore your next career move? Get in touch with our team.

Get in touch









    Get in touch










      Introducing
      Our Recruitment Experts

      Our team possesses a unique blend of industry expertise, advanced recruitment acumen, and professional assessment skills on a global scale. With an in-depth understanding of the market, we are perfectly positioned to help you hire the best talent that you need

      Meet the team

      • Global CEO, Regional Head of MENA

        Alice Weightman

        Alice Weightman: CEO, Global Executive Search Leader, and UAE Market Expert: Alice Weightman is the Founder and CEO of Hanson...

      • UK & Europe Managing Partner, Global Head of Public Affairs

        Janie Emmerson

        Janie Emmerson: Janie leads Hanson Search’s UK & European based teams. From the London office, she guides and supports their...

      • Managing Partner, Global Head of Corporate Affairs

        Katie Simpson

        Katie Simpson: Having previously spent 10 years in the communications industry, Katie brings real industry insights into the hiring process. Taking her...

      • Managing Partner, Global Head of Healthcare & Communications

        Amy Hayer

        Amy Hayer: Amy brings over 15 years of experience in executive search, with a focus on healthcare communications and international...

      • Partner, European Head of Public Affairs and Communications

        Barbara Ozanon

        Barbara Ozanon: With over a decade of experience in recruitment, executive search, and headhunting, Barbara Ozanon leads Hanson Search’s European...

      • Principal consultant, Sales & Marketing

        Nils Gerardin

        Nils Gerardin: Nils Geradin is a seasoned executive search and recruitment consultant with nearly ten years of experience placing senior-level...

      • Principal Consultant, Communications, Marketing & Digital Marketing

        Helena Ranger

        Helena Ranger: Helena is Principal Consultant leading the Consumer division across PR, Marketing and Digital Marketing. She plays a pivotal...

      • Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment Services

        Madeleine Weightman

        Madeleine Weightman: Madeleine is Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment and co-Founder of The Work Crowd, the sister company...

      • Search Director, MENA

        Amanda Dowie

        Amanda Dowie : MENA Search Director Amanda Dowie is an accomplished executive search specialist with over 20 years of global...

      • Director, Hanson Capital MENA

        Alice Maltby

        Alice Maltby : Director, Investor Markets, UAE Alice Maltby is a Director at Hanson Search MENA, working within the firm’s...

      • Managing Consultant, Public Affairs & Policy, UK & USA

        Peter Ferguson

        Peter Ferguson: As a Managing Consultant in the Public Affairs Practice, Peter advises and supports some of the world’s most...

      • Senior Consultant, Head of Technology, UK and USA

        Rachel L’Estrange

        Rachel L’Estrange After spending six years in Corporate PR and Marketing, Rachel L’Estrange moved into recruiting in 2021 and hasn’t...

      • Head of Corporate and Financial

        Allyson Kurian

        Allyson Kurian: Allyson is a specialist headhunter in corporate affairs and financial communications recruitment, focusing on mid-to-senior level roles both...

      • Senior Consultant, Communications, Europe

        Camille Chevallier

        Camille Chevallier: Having started her career as a comms professional, Camille spent 20 years in senior roles within leading agencies...

      • Head of Interim Communications

        Ben Mitchell

        Ben Mitchell: Head of Interim Communications Ben is Head of Interim Communications and works across both Hanson Search and our...

      • Consultant, MENA

        Lexi Smith-Muller

        Lexi Smith-Muller: Lexi has over 10 years’ experience of recruitment & talent acquisition, and over 6 years’ experience working in...

      • Senior Researcher

        Arlena Butt

        Arlena Butt: Arlena is a valued senior researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the team across Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, Health...

      • Marketing Content Executive

        Reg Wheeler

        Reg Wheeler: Reg is a Marketing Content Executive at Hanson Search, supporting a range of marketing and content initiatives across...

      • Researcher

        Fani Mateska

        Fani Mateska: With over four years’ experience in recruitment consultancy, Fani joined Hanson Search in July 2025, bringing expertise from...

      • Researcher

        Ivana Cilevska

        Ivana Cilevska Ivana Cilevska is a Researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the European team across client mandates and contributing to...

      • Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion

        Robyn Field

        Robyn Field: As Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion, Robyn is responsible for all business and administrative operations at Hanson...

      • Researcher, MENA

        Nevena Ilievska

        Nevena Ilievska: With a degree in Psychology and nearly four years of experience in talent acquisition and research, Nevena has...

      • Marketing Lead

        Sam White

        Sam White: Marketing Lead Sam White joined Hanson Search in 2016, initially working as an internal recruiter after gaining experience...

      • Internal Recruitment & Operations Lead

        Katie Cubbon

        Katie Cubbon: Katie manages internal recruitment at Hanson Search, while also overseeing office management and business operations. With experience across...

      • Business Support

        Ivana Stevanovska

        Ivana Stevanovska: Ivana is Community and Marketing Executive at our sister company, The Work Crowd. As well as being highly...

      • Business Support

        Mirjana R.Dejanovska

        Mirjana Dejanovska: Mirjana is Talent Strategist & Customer Success Manager at our sister company, The Work Crowd. Mirjana joined Hanson...

      • Advisor

        Michelle Milbourn

        Michelle Milbourn: Advisor Michelle is a seasoned executive search specialist with two decades of experience supporting founders and investors across...

      • Advisor

        Nicholas Watkins

        Nicholas Watkins: Nicholas has over 30 years of business leadership experience that combines successful careers in the media, leisure and...

      Trusted by World Leading Organisations

      Browse case studies

      What people say about us

      Hanson Search’s knowledge of the market is up to date and accurate, they understand day to day needs for their clients, but their real USP is the ability to introduce talent that enables ambition & growth.

      Talent Partner, Blakeney

      Hanson Search is a trusted and valued recruitment partner to MHP Group. They know the business and the teams they work across well and always strive to provide us with the most high-quality candidates.

      Talent Partner, MHP Group

      The Hanson Search team truly places quality over quantity and it’s refreshing. Their robust screening process means that you may only view a handful of candidates but each one of them has something to offer the role.

      Head of Campaigns, Third Bridge

      Hanson Search has been instrumental in identifying and recruiting senior executives for RAK Tourism. They deeply understood the nature of the roles and people we need and provided excellent candidates.

      CEO, RAK Tourism

      Hanson Search quickly ‘got’ us. They were proactive in their search and responsive in their service right from the outset. Very happy client.

      MD, firstlightPR, Paul Davies

      Hanson Search understands our business and is able to identify very strong candidates at all levels.

      Managing Partner, Brunswick Group - Gulf, Rupert Young

      I’ve worked with headhunters for the past 20 years, but I’ve found Hanson Search has a better understanding of how to attract and secure the right talent for our market.

      CEO, Hanover, Charles Lewington