Wavemaker UK names new strategy and planning chief, reveals new look Executive Committee

Wavemaker has promoted former Head of Planning Elliott Millard to the newly created role of Chief Strategy and Planning Officer following the recent departure of Chief Strategy Officer, Verra Budimlija.

Millard, who joined the agency in March 2020 from OMD, joins an evolving Executive Committee which includes CEO Kelly Parker, Chief Operating Officer Katie Lee, Chief Commercial Officer Shil Patel and Chief Investment Officer Ian Stevens. Chief People Officer Rob Jane has also left the UK team having been promoted into a new role as Wavemaker’s Global Talent Acquisition Officer.

The creation of a Chief Strategy and Planning Officer role is part of a new approach designed to elevate the craft of media planning within the agency. Millard, who has previously held senior roles at OMD EMEA and Starcom, brings over 20 years’ experience to the role, having delivered game-changing work including securing Uber Eat’s partnership with Love Island and being part of the team that took Samsung to #1 market share. He has also won multiple awards including IPA Effectiveness Golds and the UK’s first ever Grand Effie.

He will lead a team that includes Head of Strategy, Monica Majumdar, former General Manager Emma Moorhead as newly appointed Head of Channel Planning, and a new Head of Communications Planning, for which the agency is currently in market.

Building on a strong 2022 which saw the agency top the Campaign New Business league the move comes as Parker shifts the agency to a matrix structure, optimising its approach to better connect Wavemaker’s different specialists and facilitate more knowledge, insight and resource sharing across those teams, whilst allowing for more fluid and agile models of client servicing.

Elliott is one of the most intelligent, inspiring and hands down impressive media professionals I have worked with. It’s rare to find an individual who has truly mastered both the art and science of comms planning and can weave those skills together effortlessly to deliver unrivalled work for clients.
Kelly Parker, CEO, Wavemaker UK

Kelly added: “He is also the epitome of the lean in leadership we strive to deliver at Wavemaker, constantly inspiring the agency to push the boundaries of media craft and innovation, and provoking fresh thinking and unlocking new sources of growth in every brief he touches. It’s no surprise that everyone who works with him loves him and I can’t wait to work with him and the rest of our brilliant leadership team to take our clients’ businesses to new heights.”

I’m thrilled to be taking on a new role at an agency I love and with a team around me who I am impressed by every day. I’m geekily passionate about this industry and the opportunity of running a team of brilliant talent that can make the complex simple and have a singular focus on growth for our clients is incredibly exciting.
Elliott Millard, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer

Elliott Millard said: “I joined Wavemaker three years ago because I believed in the power of positive provocation and a view of the world that starts with consumer journeys and I believe that approach is even more relevant today. I am also a huge believer in the power of truly elegant craft planning so Wavemaker’s vision – to create unrivalled work that moves people and has a positive impact in the world – was always a vision I wanted to be part of.”

Press release published in Campaign.