LONDON — Communications group Huntsworth has appointed David Lowden (pictured) as its new chairman. He joins the board as a non-executive director on 1 January 2019 and will take over from current chairman Derek Mapp on 6 March.

Lowden’s executive experience in global marketing services businesses includes being a member of the board of Taylor Nelson Sofres from 1999 to 2008, becoming its CEO in 2006. He has also held executive roles at AC Nielsen and Federal Express.

He is currently the non-executive director and chairman of recruitment agency PageGroup, and chairman of the audit and risk committee at betting shop William Hill – he will leave the latter role just before taking up the Huntsworth job.

Huntsworth CEO Paul Taaffe said: “We are delighted to welcome David to Huntsworth.  His high calibre experience will be hugely valuable to the board as we embark on our next stage of growth. I thank Derek for his excellent leadership and wise counsel over the years and wish him well.”

The agencies within the Huntsworth group include Citigate Dewe Rogerson, Red Consultancy and Grayling, as well as The Creative Engagement Group and specialist healthcare and medical agencies ApotheCom and Evoke. As the Holmes Report revealed earlier this month, the group is splitting its Citigate teams between other agency offices.