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Iris has named Claire Humphris as its London CEO, promoted from global CMO following the imminent departure of Chris Marlow.
Humphris is a co-founder of the agency that launched in 1999 and has worked across its major accounts including founding client Sony Ericsson. For the past seven years, she has led the new business side of Iris and was made CMO in 2017, leading its “For the Forward” rebrand that same year and has led pitches for clients such as Starbucks, Pampers and Paypal.
She will take up the role from June, reporting to deputy global CEO Steve Bell.
In the role, Humphris will work alongside chief transformation officer Makunto Suit who joined in January 2020 and its charged with executive the diversity, equality and inclusion strategy set out within Iris.
Humphris commented: “The journey from employee No. 1 to CEO of London has been so thrilling because of the pace at which Iris changes and the variety of specialisms we have under one roof. When the product you deliver for clients is ‘progress’, you need an internal culture that lives up to that purpose and can deliver it seamlessly. Now the rest of the industry is waking up to the benefits of integration, it’s my job to keep Iris evolving so we remain one step ahead.”
Marlow, who is set to ‘take time out’ from the industry, the agency explained, rose from the role of account executive after joining in 2004 to become CEO for London two years ago.
During that time, he oversaw the move to the new London office space and hired its first chief people officer, Harriet Shurville.
Marlow explained that the decision had not been “easy.”
“I’m looking forward to taking some time out to re-charge before starting my next adventure. I’d like to thank Steve for his support over the last 16 years and the Iris London board for the incredible job they’ve done over the last 12 months in challenging circumstances,” he continued.
