NEW YORK Steve Henry, co-founder of Howell Henry Chaldecott Lury and international creative director at WPP Group's United in London, is heading to TBWA\London to become executive creative director, filling the role that Trevor Beattie vacated a year ago.

Henry, 50, will join a top management team that includes CEO Matt Shepherd-Smith and chairman Neil Dawson. All three report to European president Paul Bainsfair.

Henry, who starts July 10, said, "This is an irresistible opportunity. I love the people. They're better prepared than anyone else to embrace the challenges of a multi-disciplined future."

The Omnicom Group agency's office has about 250 staffers and clients such as Sony PlayStation, Jon Smith's, Masterfoods and Muller.

Beattie left TBWA in May 2005, along with CEO Andrew McGuinness and deputy creative director Bill Bungay, to start Beattie McGuinness Bungay in London. At the time, TBWA promoted Danny Brooke-Taylor and Tony McTear to joint creative directors.

Shepherd-Smith and Dawson rose to their current roles at TBWA\London in February.