TBWA\MCR’s Disruption Director, Lorna Hawtin, has joined ZEAL as its new Chief Strategy Officer.
Hawtin has been at TBWA\MCR for more than 14 years and was part of its senior management team when CEO Fergus McCallum and finance director Paul Tinker led its MBO in 2020.
“When we started our search for a new CSO, I asked Lorna for her advice on how to find someone equally as brilliant. As we chatted however it became clear that our mission was very much aligned with what Lorna is most passionate about,” said Stewart Hilton, ZEAL co-founder.
“As soon as we realised that there might be a chance to tempt her away from TBWA, we immediately made her our one and only target. We are thrilled she has joined us.”
In the new role, she’ll be developing the agency’s strategy offering, driving new business and working with clients including Suntory, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Co., Arla and Nestle.
She will head up a team of 8, with plans in place to recruit at all levels in both London and Manchester.
“It didn’t take me long to see that ZEAL’s trajectory and mine were closely aligned,” explained Hawtin.
“The level of ambition across business, client and creative spheres was inspiring, and the opportunity to build a world-leading strategy team and flex my strategic muscles in a whole new way, was something I couldn’t turn down.’
Zeal was founded in 2014 and employs more than 100 staff in Manchester and London.