Full Name
Rachel Forde
Job Title
CEO of the Year 2022
Company
The Media Leaders Awards
Speaker Bio
Accomplished CEO with 25 years+ experience in advertising and a proven track record in delivering consistent results and growth momentum. In her latest role, she transformed UM (IPG) taking the agency from 13th to 9th in market, doubling billings from £191m to £380m, making it RECMAs fastest growing agency in UK 2018-2021.
A passionate, innovative thinker with significant UK leadership experience, prior to UM, as CEO, she led the team that rebranded Mediavest to Spark Foundry in 2017. Rachel has spent the majority of her 25+ year career in London; with a large part across Proctor and Gamble. She notably brought 4 agencies together to form the client dedicated agency model; P&G United: integrating global, regional and local planning and buying, under Starcom Mediavest Group.
Rachel has worked across most sectors, including top clients American Express, Dyson, Johnson&Johnson, Just Eat, Kering, Honda, Mattel, Spotify, Universal Pictures and Wyeth.
Her signature leadership style is to deliver commercial growth, while ensuring happy clients and teams. Throughout her career she has led highly diverse teams, which have transformed clients’ businesses and earned numerous awards, judging many awards herself. Rachel makes a point to surround herself with, and hire people who have a passion for work, and a passion for life, but above all, a sense of humour.
As an active member of WACL, Rachel is a regular champion of diversity and past chair of the Future Talent Award committee, which recognises rising female talent and supports then with training bursaries. As a campaigner for conscious media, she championed IPG’s commitment to Concious Ad Network & UNWomen’s Unstereotype Alliance. She is also a regular contributor on panels and industry affairs.
At home, she loves rambling around Richmond Park with her husband, 2 girls and dog and as a seasoned traveller, Rachel is always looking out for her next adventure abroad.
A passionate, innovative thinker with significant UK leadership experience, prior to UM, as CEO, she led the team that rebranded Mediavest to Spark Foundry in 2017. Rachel has spent the majority of her 25+ year career in London; with a large part across Proctor and Gamble. She notably brought 4 agencies together to form the client dedicated agency model; P&G United: integrating global, regional and local planning and buying, under Starcom Mediavest Group.
Rachel has worked across most sectors, including top clients American Express, Dyson, Johnson&Johnson, Just Eat, Kering, Honda, Mattel, Spotify, Universal Pictures and Wyeth.
Her signature leadership style is to deliver commercial growth, while ensuring happy clients and teams. Throughout her career she has led highly diverse teams, which have transformed clients’ businesses and earned numerous awards, judging many awards herself. Rachel makes a point to surround herself with, and hire people who have a passion for work, and a passion for life, but above all, a sense of humour.
As an active member of WACL, Rachel is a regular champion of diversity and past chair of the Future Talent Award committee, which recognises rising female talent and supports then with training bursaries. As a campaigner for conscious media, she championed IPG’s commitment to Concious Ad Network & UNWomen’s Unstereotype Alliance. She is also a regular contributor on panels and industry affairs.
At home, she loves rambling around Richmond Park with her husband, 2 girls and dog and as a seasoned traveller, Rachel is always looking out for her next adventure abroad.
Speaking At
