I’ve been with Ogilvy for 30 years – joining as a graduate, and have worked and lived around the world leading big teams – like the WPP UK Team Lead for Walgreens Boots Alliance – and offices in the network like Ogilvy Singapore before a couple of months ago becoming CEO here in the UK.
Helping me in my role is my approach to life I am a born optimist – and love bringing people together to work on big client challenges to come up with creative solutions that grow their business and brand. Combine this with the fact I am also an action orientated Scot – and I think you are beginning to get the picture of me.
I did and I didn’t. Ogilvy is known as the University of Advertising so having read English at Edinburgh I knew I wanted to do something creative. And when I arrived at Ogilvy (in my lovely new red suit) I felt at home and inspired.
I think one of the things that has helped me shape and plan my career since I joined Ogilvy has been my mentors. I have been so lucky to have been mentored by some amazing women – Shelly Lazarus, a previous Ogilvy CEO and now Lindsay Pattison, the Chief Client Officer of WPP.
All careers have moments when you think am I being valued, am I learning enough, am I progressing enough – I’ve been lucky (and maybe tenacious) that when I have put my hand up for opportunities at Ogilvy and WPP we’ve all worked to make them happen.
And then this last 18 months has put a lot in perspective in terms of true challenges people can face. I took the route of getting a dog like many others – I love her (Poppy) unconditionally and more than I ever thought I would – but she brings her own special qualities – bouncing, crafty rug chewing, and wanting to join in on a few zoom calls.
I think becoming the CEO of Ogilvy London has to be right up there. It’s the largest single office in our network, and it’s a jewel in the crown creatively – we were the most awarded office in WPP at Cannes this year. But in the end it’s all about the impact you have on the people, both our staff and clients. Probably my most personal moment is a thank you letter I once received from one of my team’s mum on how much she felt her daughter had grown as a person during the time on my team – that was pretty special.
I think I’m determined. I never give up. If me or the team get knocked back then we go again. With a smile.
I love mentoring – and earlier I mentioned how important this has been to shaping my career. Right now, I am mentoring several young women who are at the start of their careers both in Ogilvy and in other WPP agencies, but I am also being reverse mentored – by one of our young rising stars – and I find that brilliant – its taught me so much already – and I’ve only had 2 sessions!
There’s lots of aspects to this but you just want one – I think as senior women we can help women shape their leadership style and get men to appreciate it. She’s not bossy, she’s bold.
Have fun – it’s going to be brilliant, interesting, and unexpected
Well having only been in the job a matter of weeks I think getting Ogilvy UK winning more great clients and producing brilliant ideas is my focus. I have a fantastic team helping me run the business and it feels like the next stage of a really exciting journey. As we return more to the office in person as part of our hybrid working I think we can achieve even more together – already it’s been so exciting to spark off people in real life.
July
19julAll DayPop-Ups for Women Entrepreneurs
19/07/2025 All Day(GMT+00:00)
The Wellness Centre Croydon
The Whitgift shopping centre #1st Croydon CR0 1LP
Support Local. Empower Women. Discover Something New. Join us for an inspiring pop-up event celebrating women entrepreneurs!
Support Local. Empower Women. Discover Something New.
Join us for an inspiring pop-up event celebrating women entrepreneurs and their incredible businesses! From handmade goods and fashion to skincare, art, wellness products, and more—this event is all about community, creativity, and connection.
Meet the amazing women behind your favorite local brands, enjoy one-of-a-kind finds, and support small businesses that make a big impact. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or grabbing gifts for others, your support helps fuel dreams and build a more inclusive economy.
What to Expect:
Let’s show up, shop small, and lift each other up.
Every purchase you make is a powerful act of support.
RSVP now—let’s make this a celebration to remember!
24/07/2025 All Day(GMT+00:00)
Heston Hyde Hotel
N Hyde Ln, Hounslow TW5 0EP
International Conference on Leadership Entrepreneurship and Business Management (ICLEBM – 2025) will be held in London,UK during 24th Jul 2025
ICLEBM will provide an excellent international forum for sharing knowledge and a result in International Conference on Leadership Entrepreneurship and Business Management. The aim of the Conference is to provide a platform to the researchers and practitioners from both academia as well as industry to share cutting-edge development in the field.
. The Proceeding will be archived in the Digital Library.
. Each Paper will be assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) from CROSSREF.
. The Proceeding will be submitted to ISI Thomson for review and indexing.
. Proceedings will be published in International Journals with ISSN Numbers.
26julAll DayTessy's Brunches Presents: Engage HER
26/07/2025 All Day(GMT+00:00)
Stanley Stephenson Lounge
Crystal Palace Football Club, Holmesdale Road, London, SE25 6PU
Engage Her – July 26, 2025 Event Summary: Engage Her is a dynamic event focused on fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive
Event Summary: Engage Her is a dynamic event focused on fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive community of women. Through interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and engaging discussions, attendees will have the chance to share experiences, learn from one another, and grow together. This event aims to create a welcoming environment where women can support each other in their personal and professional journeys.
Highlights:
• Engaging workshops and interactive sessions encouraging active participation.
• Networking opportunities to expand personal and professional connections.
• Panel discussions with industry leaders sharing insights and experiences.
• Community-building activities to foster lasting relationships.
Mark your calendars for Engage Her on July 26, 2025, a vibrant event designed to connect and inspire women. Participate in interactive workshops, network with like-minded individuals, and join discussions with industry leaders. Build meaningful relationships and grow within a supportive community. Engage Her is your opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive together. Don’t miss out—register now!
Indulge in a sumptuous spread of delicious treats crafted to tantalize your taste buds.
Tickets are available for £50 and the event is open to all women. Let’s come together and support each other as we navigate the challenges of life. We can’t wait to see you there!
Tessy’s Brunches (www.tessysbrunches) is dedicated to creating a platform where unseen women become visible through networking and mentoring opportunities. Our mission is not only about recognising women but understanding and addressing their unique challenges.
Our aims are rooted in three core principles: Empower, Engage, and Elevate. We seek to empower women by inspiring personal growth and self-discovery. We aim to engage by fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive community. Finally, we strive to elevate by enhancing professional development and personal fulfilment. Through these pillars, we are dedicated to helping women overcome barriers, realize their potential, and achieve both personal and professional success.
#TessysBrunches #WomenPower #CelebrateWomen #InspiringChange #EmpowerHER #EngageHER #ElevateHER