Havas Düsseldorf CCO and digital executive creative director, Europe Darren Richardson is leaving the agency to return to his native England along with his family.
“It’s with good conscience, that I start my new chapter. In Düsseldorf we have been able to install a very strong and internationally experienced creative team over the last couple of years, which has been able to push our creative output—and will continue to do so in the future,” Richardson said in a statement. “Of course, it’s a tough decision, and I’m sad to leave it all behind. On the other hand, it is well known, that one should leave on the high note—and I look with pride on our shared mileage, especially in the last year.”
The international awards show circuit seems to back up Richardson’s claims as Havas Düsseldorf’s “Repicturing Homeless” campaign for Getty Images and fiftyfifty, and “The Footballpen” for radio.net racked up 27 awards last year en route to the agency’s most awarded year to date.
Eric Schoeffler, who also serves as Havas Germany CCO and executive creative director for Europe will take over Richardson’s role with his departure.
“Darren is a great person who is passionate about ideas and tries to get the most out of them,” Schoeffler said in a statement. “We thank Darren for everything he has built and achieved in a short time with Havas Düsseldorf. Personally, as a friend, I also express my greatest appreciation and I wish him and his family all the best for their new adventure.”
Richardson joined Havas in June of 2017, following five years with BBDO, serving as CCO and managing director of BBDO Düsseldorf, Proximity Worldwide Düsseldorf and Proximity Worldwide London. Before that he spent around a year and a half as creative director and head of interactive for CP+B Toronto. He is also a veteran of R/GA, Isobar and 180 Amsterdam.