PARIS—Havas has announced the departure of global CEO David Jones, who exits after 15 years with the French marcomms holding group.

Jones leaves to become co-founder and CEO of a tech startup which launches next month, after serving as CEO of the Havas group since 2011. 

Havas said that Jones will be replaced by chairman Yannick Bollore, the son of Vincent Bollore, who owns 37% of the company.

Among the various advertising and media units owned by Havas is Havas PR, a 'collective' of PR agencies that includes the former Euro RSCG PR agencies in Europe and North America, along with local shops such as Cake in the UK and the Red Agency in Australia.

During his tenure as Havas CEO, Jones has been a leading proponent of a more responsible form of business, calling on companies to make their marketing more socially meaningful. In addition to co-founding the One Young World initiative, Jones is the author 'Who Cares Wins: Why Good Business Is Better Business'.